Racers Blast Three Home Runs in Win at Coach B Classic

Friday, March 1

Chattanooga, Tenn.

4:15 P.M.

Murray State

5-9

Southern Illinois

10-4

Murray St.

Southern Illinois

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

Racers Blast Three Home Runs in Win at Coach B Classic

3/1/2019 11:23:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Originally scheduled to play two games, rain in Chattanooga, Tennessee meant the Racers would play just once on opening day of the Coach B Classic. Taking on the Salukis of Southern Illinois, the Racers launched three home runs in a 5-3 victory over the tournament hosts on Friday evening.

Lillie Goetz ignited the Racer offense in the first, belting a two run home run to right field. Her first long ball of 2019, the blast drove in Jensen Striegel to give Murray State an early 2-0 lead through the end of the first inning.

With Hannah James in the circle for the Racers, the first six Saluki batters would be shut down in order to begin the ballgame. With a two run lead in the top of the third, the Racers would add to their margin after Madison Culver crushed a two run shot of her own. Driving in Jensen Striegel, who began the inning with a leadoff single, Culver's fourth home run of the year put the Racers on top 4-0 after the visiting half of the inning.

Facing a four-run deficit with two outs in the home half of the third, the Salukis would generate their first offense of the evening with a two run single off the bat of Eyrika Brandenberg. They would follow with a Jenny Jansen RBI double to right field, narrowing the gap to a single run at 4-3 through the end of three complete.

The game would not see another run until the final frame when the Racers tacked on an insurance run by way of another Lillie Goetz home run. The solo smash, her second of the day, would give Murray State a 5-3 lead entering the Saluki half of the seventh. Down to their final three outs, Hannah James capped off her complete game effort with a 1-2-3 inning to secure the win for the Racers.

Offensively, the Racers were propelled by Madison Culver (3-3, 2 RBIs, HR, 2B) and Lillie Goetz (2-4, 3 RBIs, 2 HR) who combined for three home runs and five RBIs in the 5-3 victory.

Hannah James tossed a complete game without allowing an earned run, while recording five strikeouts to earn her fourth win of the season.

The Racers are back in action for day two of the Coach B Classic on Saturday, taking on Saint Louis at 11:15 a.m. (CST) and #17 Kentucky at 3:45 p.m. to close the weekend in Chattanooga, TN.