Murray State University Athletics
Wednesday, March 27
Racer Field
4 p.m.
Murray State
vs
Memphis
Photo by: Daryl Banther
Preview: Racers Prepare for Clash with Memphis
3/26/2019 8:20:00 PM | Softball
Dates: March 27th – 4:00 p.m.
Site (Venue): Murray, Kentucky (Racer Field)
Video Stream: (ESPN +) https://es.pn/2JEalSi
Live Stats: https://bit.ly/2uclZco
MSU Record (Streak): 12-15 (W2)
Racers All-Time vs. Memphis: 5-7
Memphis Record (Streak): 17-14 (W2)
MSU Next Games: March 29th – Tennessee State
MSU Next Home: Same
After a doubleheader sweep of Eastern Illinois to begin Ohio Valley Conference Competition on Saturday, the Racers will take on Memphis in a midweek matchup at Racer Field at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon.
Last Time Out:
The Racers opened Ohio Valley Conference competition with a doubleheader sweep of Eastern Illinois on the road in Charleston on Saturday. The pair of games, which featured Racer wins of 7-0 and 7-4, saw 20 combined hits and six stolen bases on the afternoon.
Madison Culver led the Racers at the dish, belting her fifth home run of the season to go along with a double as part of her three hits in the doubleheader. Lindsey Carroll also turned in impressive performances, recording a triple as part of her three-hit afternoon to accompany a pair of runs scored on the day.
In the circle, Hannah James began part one of the doubleheader with a complete game shutout in the 7-0 win, fanning seven batters while allowing just four hits to Panther batters. She would return to pitch the final inning of game two, where she would strike out one more to earn her first save of the season.
Ellison Barrett would pick up the win in game two, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings while recording a strikeout to improve to 2-1 on the season as the Racers opened OVC play at a perfect 2-0.
Entering Wednesday:
The Racers enter the mid-week contest against Memphis batting .270 as a team in 2019. Their 4.78 runs per game hovers just outside the top third of NCAA Division I programs across the nation. Additionally, they have launched 16 home runs on the year, while reaching base at a .349 clip through their 27 outings thus far.
Individually, the Racers are led by Lillie Goetz, whose .342 average, .462 on-base percentage, and 23 RBIs are all team-highs upon entering the game against Memphis. Also turning in impressive numbers for Murray State is Brenna Finck, who comes into Wednesday with a .330 average and a team-high 20 runs scored to go along with seven stolen bases in 2019. Finally, Madison Culver has shown that she is always a threat to go yard when she steps to the dish, as she leads the Racers with five home runs on the season.
In the circle, Hannah James continues to produce quality innings for the Racers. She enters the game against Memphis with a 3.06 ERA and 67 strikeouts through 89.1 innings of work in her freshman season. She leads the Racers with seven wins, while posting a 3.19 K/BB ratio on the year.
Scouting Memphis:
Memphis enters the Wednesday contest coming off a pair of wins against ECU on the weekend. The Tigers, who are a member of the American Athletic Conference, have strengths both defensively as well as on the base paths. Their 1.29 stolen bases per game ranks 83rd in the country, while their .971 fielding percentage is good for 33rd in the nation.
The Tigers, who also enter the game batting .270 as a team, have reached base at a .344 mark while hitting 19 home runs on the season.
Individually, Memphis has seen steady production from Baylee Smith, who enters the game with a .390 average and 21 RBIs to lead the Tigers. Also making a significant contribution at the plate for Memphis is Delaney Smith, whose .307 average, four triples, and 13 stolen bases showcase her side's ability to utilize her speed in the Tiger lineup.
In the circle, the Racers could expect to see Mariah Nichols, who carries a 2.76 ERA through 83.2 innings of work to lead her side in 2019. Opposing hitters have batted .242 against her thus far, while she has recorded 67 strikeouts despite walking 48 batters on the season.
All-Time Series:
Murray State has seen Memphis in 12 prior meetings, two of which have come already this season. The Tigers hold the all-time series as winners of seven of the previous encounters after the two sides split a pair of contests just two weeks ago at the Tiger Classic in Memphis, Tennessee. The first game of the tournament saw the Racers prevail 6-3, but Memphis would get their revenge to close the weekend, coming out on top in the second game 9-5.
Weather Forecast:
The forecast is calling for 61 degrees and sunshine for the first pitch, with light winds blowing in at about five miles per hour. Chance of rain: 0%
Site (Venue): Murray, Kentucky (Racer Field)
Video Stream: (ESPN +) https://es.pn/2JEalSi
Live Stats: https://bit.ly/2uclZco
MSU Record (Streak): 12-15 (W2)
Racers All-Time vs. Memphis: 5-7
Memphis Record (Streak): 17-14 (W2)
MSU Next Games: March 29th – Tennessee State
MSU Next Home: Same
After a doubleheader sweep of Eastern Illinois to begin Ohio Valley Conference Competition on Saturday, the Racers will take on Memphis in a midweek matchup at Racer Field at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon.
Last Time Out:
The Racers opened Ohio Valley Conference competition with a doubleheader sweep of Eastern Illinois on the road in Charleston on Saturday. The pair of games, which featured Racer wins of 7-0 and 7-4, saw 20 combined hits and six stolen bases on the afternoon.
Madison Culver led the Racers at the dish, belting her fifth home run of the season to go along with a double as part of her three hits in the doubleheader. Lindsey Carroll also turned in impressive performances, recording a triple as part of her three-hit afternoon to accompany a pair of runs scored on the day.
In the circle, Hannah James began part one of the doubleheader with a complete game shutout in the 7-0 win, fanning seven batters while allowing just four hits to Panther batters. She would return to pitch the final inning of game two, where she would strike out one more to earn her first save of the season.
Ellison Barrett would pick up the win in game two, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings while recording a strikeout to improve to 2-1 on the season as the Racers opened OVC play at a perfect 2-0.
Entering Wednesday:
The Racers enter the mid-week contest against Memphis batting .270 as a team in 2019. Their 4.78 runs per game hovers just outside the top third of NCAA Division I programs across the nation. Additionally, they have launched 16 home runs on the year, while reaching base at a .349 clip through their 27 outings thus far.
Individually, the Racers are led by Lillie Goetz, whose .342 average, .462 on-base percentage, and 23 RBIs are all team-highs upon entering the game against Memphis. Also turning in impressive numbers for Murray State is Brenna Finck, who comes into Wednesday with a .330 average and a team-high 20 runs scored to go along with seven stolen bases in 2019. Finally, Madison Culver has shown that she is always a threat to go yard when she steps to the dish, as she leads the Racers with five home runs on the season.
In the circle, Hannah James continues to produce quality innings for the Racers. She enters the game against Memphis with a 3.06 ERA and 67 strikeouts through 89.1 innings of work in her freshman season. She leads the Racers with seven wins, while posting a 3.19 K/BB ratio on the year.
Scouting Memphis:
Memphis enters the Wednesday contest coming off a pair of wins against ECU on the weekend. The Tigers, who are a member of the American Athletic Conference, have strengths both defensively as well as on the base paths. Their 1.29 stolen bases per game ranks 83rd in the country, while their .971 fielding percentage is good for 33rd in the nation.
The Tigers, who also enter the game batting .270 as a team, have reached base at a .344 mark while hitting 19 home runs on the season.
Individually, Memphis has seen steady production from Baylee Smith, who enters the game with a .390 average and 21 RBIs to lead the Tigers. Also making a significant contribution at the plate for Memphis is Delaney Smith, whose .307 average, four triples, and 13 stolen bases showcase her side's ability to utilize her speed in the Tiger lineup.
In the circle, the Racers could expect to see Mariah Nichols, who carries a 2.76 ERA through 83.2 innings of work to lead her side in 2019. Opposing hitters have batted .242 against her thus far, while she has recorded 67 strikeouts despite walking 48 batters on the season.
All-Time Series:
Murray State has seen Memphis in 12 prior meetings, two of which have come already this season. The Tigers hold the all-time series as winners of seven of the previous encounters after the two sides split a pair of contests just two weeks ago at the Tiger Classic in Memphis, Tennessee. The first game of the tournament saw the Racers prevail 6-3, but Memphis would get their revenge to close the weekend, coming out on top in the second game 9-5.
Weather Forecast:
The forecast is calling for 61 degrees and sunshine for the first pitch, with light winds blowing in at about five miles per hour. Chance of rain: 0%
Players Mentioned
P/OF
/ Softball
U
/ Softball
C/IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
P
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