Murray State University Athletics
Wednesday, May 1
Bowling Green, Ky.
5 p.m.
Murray State
at
Western Kentucky
Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics
Racers Set for Single Game with Western Kentucky
4/30/2019 7:28:00 PM | Softball
Dates: May 1st – 5:00 p.m.
Site (Venue): Bowling Green, Ky. (WKU Softball Complex)
Live Video: http://bit.ly/2IRLadE
Live Stats: http://bit.ly/2XVTjS0
MSU Record (Streak): 24-24, 14-6 (W3)
Racers All-Time vs. Western Kentucky: 3-9
WKU Record (Streak): 33-12, 15-6 (L3)
MSU Next Game: May 4th at SIUE
The Racers will travel to Bowling Green, Kentucky for a non-conference contest against Western Kentucky on Wednesday evening. The midweek meeting with the Hilltoppers will wrap up the non-conference portion of the Racers' 2019 schedule as they will then prepare for an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader with SIUE on Saturday to close out the regular season.
Last Time Out:
The Racers took three of four games on the weekend, splitting a doubleheader with Eastern Kentucky on Friday before cruising to a pair of convincing wins against Morehead State on Sunday afternoon. Murray State averaged 8.75 runs over these last four outings as they improved to 14-6 against conference opponents to clinch a spot in the 2019 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.
Jensen Striegel went 8-12 while reaching base at a .692 clip through the four competitions, while senior Brenna Finck drove in eight Racer runs. In the circle, it would be Amber Van Duyse who collected a pair of Racer wins as she dealt four innings without surrendering an earned run.
Entering Weekend:
Entering Wednesday's single game with the Hilltoppers, the Racers are averaging 4.38 runs per contest through their 48 games on the year. Additionally, they have turned in a .268 average while blasting 26 home runs in 2019.
Individually, Lillie Goetz leads the Racers with a .321 average, 18 extra-base hits, and 36 RBI in 2019. Brenna Finck is at the top of the scoring department (32) and stolen base category (11) while Lexi Jones continues to supply the power with a team-best eight round-trippers on the year.
The Racer pitching staff carries a 3.67 ERA with a 2.04 K/BB ratio that ranks in the top third of NCAA Division I programs in nation. Led by the duo of Hannah James and Taylor Makowsky, they look to improve on their already-successful seasons as both players have built a reliable pitching nucleus in 2019.
James comes in with a team-high 11 wins with 109 strikeouts in 146 innings of work in 2019. Allowing just 1.39 walks per seven innings, she ranks in the top 50 pitchers in the country in that category.
Makowsky also fuels the pitching staff with a 2.52 ERA and 8-4 record entering Wednesday's competition. She has fanned 49 batters in 66.2 innings, while holding hitters to just a .237 average on the year.
Scouting Western Kentucky:
While Western Kentucky has an impressive 33-12 record overall that includes a 15-6 mark against Conference USA opponents, the Hilltoppers have dropped their last three outings entering Wednesday's clash with the Racers. The losses all came against Louisiana Tech in their three-game series over the weekend.
Ranking in the top 50 in fielding percentage (.973), slugging percentage (.473), and stolen bases per game (1.78), the Hilltoppers are batting .289 with 44 home runs in 2019. Also averaging 5.4 runs per contest, the team is guided by Kendall Smith, who is hitting .349 with 12 home runs and 44 RBI on the year.
Hilltopper pitching carries a 2.80 ERA, and has held the opposition to just a .206 average at the dish thus far. The Racers could expect to see Kelsey Aikey inn the circle, as she enters the contest with a 2.29 ERA and 153 strikeouts through her 113.1 innings of work on the season. Hitters have also turned in a feeble .186 average while she is dealing in the circle in 2019.
All-Time Series:
Wednesday will mark the 13th all-time meeting between the two sides as the Hilltoppers own a 9-3 advantage overall. The teams have traded victories over their last four, and they both hold a positive record while playing at their home field. The Racers, however, are still searching for their first victory in Bowling Green as Murray State has dropped all six previous encounters on the road against Western Kentucky.
Weather Forecast:
The forecast is calling for a cloudy 82 degrees for the first pitch in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Winds are expected out of the south at around 12 miles per hour. Chance of rain: 15%
Site (Venue): Bowling Green, Ky. (WKU Softball Complex)
Live Video: http://bit.ly/2IRLadE
Live Stats: http://bit.ly/2XVTjS0
MSU Record (Streak): 24-24, 14-6 (W3)
Racers All-Time vs. Western Kentucky: 3-9
WKU Record (Streak): 33-12, 15-6 (L3)
MSU Next Game: May 4th at SIUE
The Racers will travel to Bowling Green, Kentucky for a non-conference contest against Western Kentucky on Wednesday evening. The midweek meeting with the Hilltoppers will wrap up the non-conference portion of the Racers' 2019 schedule as they will then prepare for an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader with SIUE on Saturday to close out the regular season.
Last Time Out:
The Racers took three of four games on the weekend, splitting a doubleheader with Eastern Kentucky on Friday before cruising to a pair of convincing wins against Morehead State on Sunday afternoon. Murray State averaged 8.75 runs over these last four outings as they improved to 14-6 against conference opponents to clinch a spot in the 2019 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.
Jensen Striegel went 8-12 while reaching base at a .692 clip through the four competitions, while senior Brenna Finck drove in eight Racer runs. In the circle, it would be Amber Van Duyse who collected a pair of Racer wins as she dealt four innings without surrendering an earned run.
Entering Weekend:
Entering Wednesday's single game with the Hilltoppers, the Racers are averaging 4.38 runs per contest through their 48 games on the year. Additionally, they have turned in a .268 average while blasting 26 home runs in 2019.
Individually, Lillie Goetz leads the Racers with a .321 average, 18 extra-base hits, and 36 RBI in 2019. Brenna Finck is at the top of the scoring department (32) and stolen base category (11) while Lexi Jones continues to supply the power with a team-best eight round-trippers on the year.
The Racer pitching staff carries a 3.67 ERA with a 2.04 K/BB ratio that ranks in the top third of NCAA Division I programs in nation. Led by the duo of Hannah James and Taylor Makowsky, they look to improve on their already-successful seasons as both players have built a reliable pitching nucleus in 2019.
James comes in with a team-high 11 wins with 109 strikeouts in 146 innings of work in 2019. Allowing just 1.39 walks per seven innings, she ranks in the top 50 pitchers in the country in that category.
Makowsky also fuels the pitching staff with a 2.52 ERA and 8-4 record entering Wednesday's competition. She has fanned 49 batters in 66.2 innings, while holding hitters to just a .237 average on the year.
Scouting Western Kentucky:
While Western Kentucky has an impressive 33-12 record overall that includes a 15-6 mark against Conference USA opponents, the Hilltoppers have dropped their last three outings entering Wednesday's clash with the Racers. The losses all came against Louisiana Tech in their three-game series over the weekend.
Ranking in the top 50 in fielding percentage (.973), slugging percentage (.473), and stolen bases per game (1.78), the Hilltoppers are batting .289 with 44 home runs in 2019. Also averaging 5.4 runs per contest, the team is guided by Kendall Smith, who is hitting .349 with 12 home runs and 44 RBI on the year.
Hilltopper pitching carries a 2.80 ERA, and has held the opposition to just a .206 average at the dish thus far. The Racers could expect to see Kelsey Aikey inn the circle, as she enters the contest with a 2.29 ERA and 153 strikeouts through her 113.1 innings of work on the season. Hitters have also turned in a feeble .186 average while she is dealing in the circle in 2019.
All-Time Series:
Wednesday will mark the 13th all-time meeting between the two sides as the Hilltoppers own a 9-3 advantage overall. The teams have traded victories over their last four, and they both hold a positive record while playing at their home field. The Racers, however, are still searching for their first victory in Bowling Green as Murray State has dropped all six previous encounters on the road against Western Kentucky.
Weather Forecast:
The forecast is calling for a cloudy 82 degrees for the first pitch in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Winds are expected out of the south at around 12 miles per hour. Chance of rain: 15%
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballHead Coach Jody Wright | Racer Football | 10/27 Press Conference
Friday, October 31
Mason Miller & Dylan Anderson | Racer Mens Basketball | 10/27 Press Conference
Monday, October 27
Head Coach Ryan Miller | Racer Mens Basketball | 10/27 Press Conference
Monday, October 27
Head Coach Ryan Miller | Racer Basketball Post Game Press Conference | 10/26/25
Monday, October 27
