Racers on Wrong End of Walk-off Win

Saturday, March 16

Memphis, Tenn.

9 A.M.

Murray State

10-13

North Alabama

13-6

Murray St.

North Alabama

Photo by: Curt Hart

3/16/2019 4:34:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

With a single game scheduled on day two of the Tiger Classic in Memphis, Tennessee, the Racers came up short in an extra-innings thriller against North Alabama.

Sierra Gilmore sparked the Racer offense in the first inning with a two-out double to left center, putting a runner in scoring position for Murray State in the opening frame. Lillie Goetz, the next batter in the Racer lineup, would capitalize on the scoring opportunity with an RBI double of her own to drive in the first run of the ballgame.

The Lions of North Alabama responded in the home half of the first, generating a run of their own when Veronica Westfall drove in Meleah Hargett, who reached base on an error to begin the inning.

With the score tied at one run apiece after the first inning of action, the score would be tied until the Racer half of the third, when they would reclaim the lead after Brenna Finck would go yard for her first home run of the 2019 season. After the round-tripper with one out in the inning, the next two Racer batters would be retired in order, with the Racers clinging to a 2-1 lead through their half of the third.

With Hannah James making her second start of the tournament in the circle for the Racers, she would not surrender another run until the home half of the fourth, when Harley Stokes sent a 1-1 pitch over the wall in left center, knotting the game at 2-2.

After a scoreless fifth from both sides, UNA would have an opportunity to plate the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth, as Chloe Kirkland stepped in with the bases loaded for the Lions. Kirkland would hack at the first pitch she saw, sending it into the air in right field, but Logan Braundmeier would be there for the Racers to record the third out, keeping score the tied at 2-2 through six complete.

Following a 1-2-3 inning from both sides in the seventh, the game would require extra innings to determine a winner in the first game of day two at the Tiger Classic.

Both teams would be set down in order during their opportunities in the eighth, keeping the 2-2 score line intact to begin the second inning of bonus softball.

In the Racer half of the ninth, Murray State would fail to attain a runner as three consecutive batters were retired, giving the Lions a chance to win the game with a single score in the bottom half of the inning.

After a quick pair of outs to kick-off the home half, UNA would push across the winning run in walk-off fashion when a first-pitch offering left the park from the bat of Chloe Kirkland. The solo shot would secure a 3-2 victory for the Lions, who handed Murray State their second loss of the tournament.

Brenna Finck led the Racers at the dish, turning in a 2-4 performance that featured her first home run of 2019. Lillie Goetz (2-3, RBI) also recorded a multi-hit game for Murray State, raising her season average to .344 in the extra-inning affair.

Hannah James handled the workload for the Racers in the circle, surrendering just two earned runs through 8.2 innings of action on the day. She fanned four UNA batters without issuing a single walk in the competition.

The Racers return to the field tomorrow for a pair of games to conclude the weekend at the Tiger Classic in Memphis, Tennessee. They play two in a row, taking on Maine at 11:15 a.m. followed by a rematch with Memphis at 1:30. Game coverage can be found at the following links:

Live stats for both games: https://bit.ly/2NAKbOG
Audio for game against Memphis: https://bit.ly/2F7fkFz