Racers Split Day Two in Madeira Beach

Saturday, February 16

Madeira Beach, Fla.

1 p.m.

Murray State

2-6

George Mason

3-4

Murray St.

George Mason

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

2/17/2019 2:30:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

The Racers split their pair of games on day two of the Madeira Beach Invitational in Madeira Beach, Florida. After falling in walk-off fashion in game one to George Mason, the Racers responded with a fantastic all-around performance in an 8-4 victory over South Dakota.

GAME 1: GEORGE MASON 6, Murray State 3:
George Mason put up the first run of the game in the second inning after a Meghan Graham RBI double scored Liz Seymour, who reached base on an error to open the inning.

In what would become a spectacular battle between opposing pitchers, the score would remain 1-0 until the seventh when the Racers gained momentum from Kristen Bialek. Bialek, who entered the game to pinch hit for Lexi Jones, got things going with a one out single. Gilmore followed with a single of her own and Logan Brundmeier attempted a sacrifice bunt, but loaded the bases after reaching on an ensuing throwing error. After a Patriot pitching change, Ellison Barrett would face Marina Vitalich and deliver a two-RBI single to center to give the Racers a 2-1 lead. Braundmeier then went on to steal third while Barrett stole second, setting up a scoring opportunity for Denise Teague who drove in Braundmeier on a fielder's choice. Brenna Finck would be the next batter, but flew out to left with one out while Barrett was thrown out to end the inning attempting to advance from third.

The Patriots would now be chasing two runs entering their half of the final frame and, after a leadoff groundout to begin the inning, they rattled off three straight hits that included an RBI double off the bat of Jess Cubiera to score Madison Aker, cutting the Racer lead to a single run. With runners at the corners following a walk, Seymour flew out to right field, but it was deep enough to score Lawton from third and tie the game at three with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. With the winning run on third, EJ Bankson would step to the plate with a chance to be the hero for the Patriots. She would go on to deliver not only a base hit, but a three-run home run to left field to win the game in walk-off fashion for George Mason, capping a five run seventh inning and delivering a heartbreaking loss to the Racers.

Ellison Barrett (1-2, 2 RBI, SB) highlighted the Racer offense while MSU also got a good outing in the circle from Amber Van Duyse. She made the most of her appearance, turning in 4.2 scoreless innings on just three hits while striking out a pair of Patriot batters.

GAME 2: MURRAY STATE 8, SOUTH DAKOTA 4:
The Racers came out of the gates strong in game two getting on the board in the first inning courtesy of a Lillie Goetz RBI single to left center to score Brenna Finck, who had reached base on an error to open the ballgame.

After allowing just one Coyote baserunner in the bottom of the inning, the Racers got back to work at the plate in a big way to start the second. Sierra Gilmore and Logan Braundmeier both singled to start the inning and later advanced 60 feet after a sacrifice bunt from Lindsey Carroll. Denise Teague, Brenna Finck, and Jensen Striegel would all follow with RBI singles to make the score 4-0 in favor of the Racers. With runners now on first and second, Madison Culver cashed in on another scoring opportunity, taking the first pitch to deep left field for a three-run home run, stretching the Racer lead to 7-0 to close their half of the second.

Hannah James would retire the next three Coyote batters in order, and the Racers would maintain their 7-0 lead heading into the third.
A two out double from Lindsey Carroll would be the only action for the Racers in the third, but MSU would again shut down the Coyote bats and hold a 7-0 lead at the end of three complete.

The score would remain unchanged until the bottom of the sixth when South Dakota put up their first runs of the game via a three-run home run from Jamie Holscher. This would be the extent of the damage in the sixth, and the Racers would cling to a 7-3 lead to begin the seventh.

In the final frame, Lindsey Carroll would draw a walk and later steal second before coming around to score thanks to an RBI single from Brenna Finck, giving the Racers an insurance run and an 8-3 advantage heading into the bottom of the seventh.

The Coyotes would put up one more of their own after Holscher drove in Fernandez who reached on a leadoff walk, but the comeback effort would fall short, giving the Racers a well-deserved 8-4 victory.

Brenna Finck (4-5, 2 RBI, 2 R) provided a spark on offense for the Racers behind a four-hit performance. Additionally, Madison Culver hit her second home run of 2019 while Jensen Striegel and Logan Braundmeier each collected two hits apiece for the Racers.

Hannah James continued to be a bright spot in the circle, allowing three earned runs and striking out four over her six innings of work while earning the win for the Racers. Amber Van Duyse also dealt an inning without giving up an earned run to seal the victory for Murray State on day two of the Madeira Beach Invitational.

The Racers close the weekend in Madeira Beach on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. as they take on the Cardinals of Ball State.