Murray State University Athletics
Friday, February 8
Troy, Ala.
10 a.m.
Murray State
vs
Maryland
Softball Preview: Racers Open 2019 at Trojan Classic
2/5/2019 2:44:00 PM | Softball
Dates & Time:Â Feb. 8-10
Site (Venue):Â Troy, Alabama (Troy Softball Complex)
TV/Web Stream:Â Facebook Live (Only for 2/9 game against Troy)
Live Stats:Â https://troytrojans.com/sports/2017/2/20/2018-troy-classic.aspx
MSU Record (Streak):Â 0-0 (---)
Racers vs. The Field:Â 0-1
Maryland Record (Streak):Â 0-0 (---)
Alabama Record (Streak):Â 0-0 (---)
Troy Record (Streak):Â 0-0 (---)
MSU Next Games:Â Feb. 15-17 at Madeira Beach Invitational (Madeira Beach, FL)
MSU Next Home:Â Mar. 8-10 vs. Racer Classic
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Murray State softball will kick off the 2019 campaign on Friday with five games at the Trojan Classic in Troy, Alabama. During their time in Troy, the Racers are set to face Maryland, Alabama, and the host Trojans of Troy University.
Â
Out Of The Gates
The Racers look to come out on top in their season debut for the third straight season. Murray State is 5-4 all-time in season openers, having won four out of six under head coach Kara Amundson. The Racers are 1-1 in season openers in true away games and 4-3 in neutral site games.
2018 Recap
The 2018 season saw the Racers battle for 16 wins and earn their fair share of notable accomplishments. In OVC play, the Racers finished top-5 in two offensive statistical categories. Their 162 hits (3rd in OVC) and 237 total bases (4th in OVC) were a testament to their offensive firepower. In the field, the Racers proved just as tough turning eight double plays (T-2nd in OVC) while closing the door on opposing base-runners as catcher Madison Culver caught 15 runners stealing which also led the OVC.
From an individual perspective, 2018 saw two Racer players earn All-OVC honors. Madison Culver earned All-OVC first-team recognition as a catcher, while Lillie Goetz found her name on the OVC All-Newcomer team.
Returners: The Racers are loaded with experience entering 2019 as they return seven starters. Led by Culver, (.280, 29 RBI) Brenna Finck, (.311, 35 R, 8 SB) and Goetz (.303, .515 SLG%, 34 R) the squad looks to improve on the foundation that was established in 2018. The Racers will also return plenty of pop in their lineup as they bring back their top two home run threats from 2018 in Lexi Jones and Sierra Gilmore who hit nine and five respectively. Additionally, MSU is anchored by returners Jensen Striegel (.306, 13 SB) and Logan Braundmeier who saw significant playing time for the Racers. MSU also returns some experience on the mound with four of five members of the pitching staff on board again for 2019. The four returners which include Olivia Suski, Grace Vaughn, Amber Van Duyse, and Ellison Barrett combined to work 197.6 of the 349.2 innings in 2018. Coach Amundson notes that great improvement can be seen throughout the pitching staff and, in particular says, "Suski is a sophomore for us this year and I would expect her to carry a decent amount of the workload." Â
Key Pieces Lost: While MSU features a plethora of returners, they will have to make their presence known without three pieces from the 2018 season. Maddy Feeney started 47 games in the outfield for the Racers while Erika Downey made 39 starts in the MSU infield. Finally, the Racers will enter 2019 without pitcher Haven Campbell (2.69 ERA, 81 SO) who appeared in 35 games while making 25 starts and throwing a team-high 150.2 of the Racers 349.2 innings.
Newcomers: The Racers bring in seven new faces to the program to spark the 2019 campaign. Among those are freshman Lindsey Carroll, who looks to make an instant impact. "She came in ready. She really has all the tools to step in right away for us," says Coach Amundson. Additionally, Amundson points to freshmen Hannah James and Abby Shoulders as players who can step in and make a big contribution right from the start.
From the Coach: A focal point for the Racers in the offseason was getting back on track offensively after struggling a bit in 2018. "Last year we were sub-par offensively and we've really nailed that down," says Amundson. Reflecting on last season, she is optimistic returning a core of players that fell on the wrong side of 14 games that were decided by just a single run. "It really shows how close we were," she adds. While those tight games were frustrating, they serve as motivation to get back after it in 2019. Among the clubhouse, operating under a team motto "always be a shark," it points toward the dedication and character of this year's roster. "That mentality means that, no matter what the circumstance, we will always go out and be the best we can be in that particular moment," explains Amundson. She also emphasizes the incredible attitude with this year's group, "The player mentality is significantly different. They're gritty, focused, and determined."
In The Mix
Select Murray State softball away games will once again be broadcast this season on the internet via Mixlr. Fans can listen, free of charge, on any computer at mixlr.com/msuracers or by downloading the Mixlr app, available on Apple and Android devices, and searching msuracers.
Â
Site (Venue):Â Troy, Alabama (Troy Softball Complex)
TV/Web Stream:Â Facebook Live (Only for 2/9 game against Troy)
Live Stats:Â https://troytrojans.com/sports/2017/2/20/2018-troy-classic.aspx
MSU Record (Streak):Â 0-0 (---)
Racers vs. The Field:Â 0-1
Maryland Record (Streak):Â 0-0 (---)
Alabama Record (Streak):Â 0-0 (---)
Troy Record (Streak):Â 0-0 (---)
MSU Next Games:Â Feb. 15-17 at Madeira Beach Invitational (Madeira Beach, FL)
MSU Next Home:Â Mar. 8-10 vs. Racer Classic
Â
Murray State softball will kick off the 2019 campaign on Friday with five games at the Trojan Classic in Troy, Alabama. During their time in Troy, the Racers are set to face Maryland, Alabama, and the host Trojans of Troy University.
Â
Out Of The Gates
The Racers look to come out on top in their season debut for the third straight season. Murray State is 5-4 all-time in season openers, having won four out of six under head coach Kara Amundson. The Racers are 1-1 in season openers in true away games and 4-3 in neutral site games.
2018 Recap
The 2018 season saw the Racers battle for 16 wins and earn their fair share of notable accomplishments. In OVC play, the Racers finished top-5 in two offensive statistical categories. Their 162 hits (3rd in OVC) and 237 total bases (4th in OVC) were a testament to their offensive firepower. In the field, the Racers proved just as tough turning eight double plays (T-2nd in OVC) while closing the door on opposing base-runners as catcher Madison Culver caught 15 runners stealing which also led the OVC.
From an individual perspective, 2018 saw two Racer players earn All-OVC honors. Madison Culver earned All-OVC first-team recognition as a catcher, while Lillie Goetz found her name on the OVC All-Newcomer team.
Returners: The Racers are loaded with experience entering 2019 as they return seven starters. Led by Culver, (.280, 29 RBI) Brenna Finck, (.311, 35 R, 8 SB) and Goetz (.303, .515 SLG%, 34 R) the squad looks to improve on the foundation that was established in 2018. The Racers will also return plenty of pop in their lineup as they bring back their top two home run threats from 2018 in Lexi Jones and Sierra Gilmore who hit nine and five respectively. Additionally, MSU is anchored by returners Jensen Striegel (.306, 13 SB) and Logan Braundmeier who saw significant playing time for the Racers. MSU also returns some experience on the mound with four of five members of the pitching staff on board again for 2019. The four returners which include Olivia Suski, Grace Vaughn, Amber Van Duyse, and Ellison Barrett combined to work 197.6 of the 349.2 innings in 2018. Coach Amundson notes that great improvement can be seen throughout the pitching staff and, in particular says, "Suski is a sophomore for us this year and I would expect her to carry a decent amount of the workload." Â
Key Pieces Lost: While MSU features a plethora of returners, they will have to make their presence known without three pieces from the 2018 season. Maddy Feeney started 47 games in the outfield for the Racers while Erika Downey made 39 starts in the MSU infield. Finally, the Racers will enter 2019 without pitcher Haven Campbell (2.69 ERA, 81 SO) who appeared in 35 games while making 25 starts and throwing a team-high 150.2 of the Racers 349.2 innings.
Newcomers: The Racers bring in seven new faces to the program to spark the 2019 campaign. Among those are freshman Lindsey Carroll, who looks to make an instant impact. "She came in ready. She really has all the tools to step in right away for us," says Coach Amundson. Additionally, Amundson points to freshmen Hannah James and Abby Shoulders as players who can step in and make a big contribution right from the start.
From the Coach: A focal point for the Racers in the offseason was getting back on track offensively after struggling a bit in 2018. "Last year we were sub-par offensively and we've really nailed that down," says Amundson. Reflecting on last season, she is optimistic returning a core of players that fell on the wrong side of 14 games that were decided by just a single run. "It really shows how close we were," she adds. While those tight games were frustrating, they serve as motivation to get back after it in 2019. Among the clubhouse, operating under a team motto "always be a shark," it points toward the dedication and character of this year's roster. "That mentality means that, no matter what the circumstance, we will always go out and be the best we can be in that particular moment," explains Amundson. She also emphasizes the incredible attitude with this year's group, "The player mentality is significantly different. They're gritty, focused, and determined."
In The Mix
Select Murray State softball away games will once again be broadcast this season on the internet via Mixlr. Fans can listen, free of charge, on any computer at mixlr.com/msuracers or by downloading the Mixlr app, available on Apple and Android devices, and searching msuracers.
Â
Players Mentioned
P/OF
/ Softball
OF/U
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
U
/ Softball
C/IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
U
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P/IF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
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