A Day at the Beach - Racers Win Both - Murray State University Athletics

Friday, February 15

Madeira Beach, Fla.

3:30 p.m.

Murray State

2-5

Butler

2-5

Murray St.

Butler

A Day at the Beach - Racers Win Both

2/16/2019 1:50:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

The Racers earned their first two wins of the 2019 season at the Madeira Beach Invitational in Madeira Beach, Florida. They did so in dominating fashion, outscoring their opponents 21-5 over the two contests, cruising to 5-0 victory over Butler and a 16-5 triumph over Delaware.

GAME 1: Murray State 5, Butler 0:
Hannah James got the start in the circle for the Racers as they opened up the weekend against the Bulldogs. Riding the momentum from last weekend's performances, it is safe to say she can add this game to her collection of tremendous outings. While both squads struggled at the plate in the opening stages, the Racers spoiled the shut out in the fourth. Madison Culver began the inning with a leadoff single to left, followed by Lillie Goetz reaching on a fielder's choice. The runners would then advance to second and third after Denise Teague laid down a sacrifice bunt. A two-out single off the bat of Logan Braundmeier drove home the pair of Racer runs to capture a 2-0 lead through the visiting half of the fourth.

The Racers would have the opportunity to add some insurance runs in the top of the sixth after a pair of singles from Lillie Goetz and Lindsey Carroll placed runners in scoring position once again for Logan Braundmeier. She continued her productive outing, this time smashing an RBI double down the left field line to make it 3-0. However, the Racers were not done yet after Danielle Walls drew a pinch hit walk and loaded the bases for Sierra Gilmore. Capitalizing on another scoring opportunity, Gilmore delivered a two-out single to right field, scoring Carroll and Braundmeier to stretch the lead to 5-0 to close the Racer half of the sixth.

The Bulldogs would be set down in order in the home half, followed by a scoreless top of the seventh from the Racers. Butler managed just a single baserunner in the bottom of the seventh, and the Racers secured their first victory of 2019 with a final of 5-0.
Hannah James continued her string of excellent showings with a complete game shutout, allowing just two hits and one walk to Bulldog batters. She also recorded four strikeouts on the game.

Offensively, the Racers were propelled by Madison Culver, Lillie Goetz, and Logan Braundmeier who all collected two hits apiece. Additionally, Braundmeier led the charge with three RBIs, while a sixth inning double added another extra-base hit to her tally.

GAME 2: Murray State 16, Delaware 5:
The scoring started early as the game's first four batters reached base safely for Delaware on the way to a pair of quick runs for the Blue Hens. In response, the Racers would return the favor with runs of their own after a Brenna Finck single sparked a three-run inning for Murray State. Following the single, they took advantage of a defensive miscue from Delaware to put runners on the corners for Lille Goetz. She would put the Racers on the board with a two-run double to left field. Lexi Jones would also cash in on her opportunity, as her double down the right field line tacked on another run. The Racers would hold a 3-2 lead at the end of one.

The offensive display was only beginning as the Blue Hens went on to erase the one-run deficit on a Brittney Mendoza home run to start the second. After allowing two more runners in the inning, the Racers would escape without any additional damage to the scoreboard.

After Lindsey Carroll came around to score in the Racer half after a leadoff double, MSU would hold a 4-3 advantage – a score that remained unchanged until their next opportunity in the following frame. In the third, every MSU batter would have their chance as the Racers batted around while adding another five runs on six hits. Among those six hits that widened the Racer margin were doubles from Madison Culver and Denise Teague.

After relinquishing a leadoff single to the Blue Hens during their half, Halle Kisamore would double and later score via an RBI-double from Karolina Flores as part of a two-run response from the Delaware.

Despite a comfortable 9-5 lead in the fourth, the Racers were hungry for more. Denise Teague pushed across the first run of the home half with an RBI-single to score Logan Braundmeier. After the following three Racer batters reached base safely, Madison Culver stepped in with the bases juiced and cleared the paths with a grand slam down the left field line, giving the Racers a commanding 16-5 lead at the end of four complete.

Delaware would need to put up runs in the fifth to keep hope alive, but Hannah James closed the door on any chance of retaliation. The Racers notched their second win of the day with a final of 16-5.

Amber Van Duyse picked up the win for the Racers, allowing two earned runs while striking out a pair in her 2.2 innings of work. Offensively, six Murray State batters put on multi-hit performances. Led by Brenna Finck, (3-3, 3 R) Lillie Goetz, (2-3, 4 RBIs) and Madison Culver, (2-3, 5 RBI, 2B, HR) their notable performances played a significant role in the Racers posting a season-high 16 runs on the evening.

The Racers are back in action tomorrow for day two of the Madeira Beach Invitational. They look to make it three straight beginning with George Mason at 1:00 p.m. followed by South Dakota at 6:00 p.m.