Racers to Host Tennessee State in Three-Game Weekend Series at Racer Field

Friday, March 26

Murray, Ky.

3 P.M.

Murray State

Tennessee State

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

Racers to Host Tennessee State in Three-Game Weekend Series at Racer Field

3/25/2021 11:22:00 PM | Softball

Live Links OVC Standings

Racers enter the series as winners of five straight after sweeping Austin Peay in the midweek doubleheader

Dates: March 26^th (3 PM / 5 PM), March 27^th (12 PM)
Site (Venue): Murray, Ky. (Racer Field)
Live Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: goracers.com/coverage
MSU Record (Streak): 12-14, 9-2 OVC (Won 5)
Racers All-Time vs. Tennessee State: 17-4

Tennessee State Record (Streak): 5-14, 1-10 OVC (Lost 6)
MSU Next Game: March 30^th vs. Memphis
MSU Next Home Game: Same

Murray State softball will look to extend its five-game winning streak when it continues the current six-game homestand on Friday with a doubleheader against Tennessee State as part of a three-game weekend series with the Tigers. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+, with live stats available on goracers.com. Friday's first pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m. from Racer Field in Murray, Kentucky.

All-Time Series:

The Racers and Tigers have met 21 times prior to the weekend, with Murray State holding a commanding 17-4 record in the all-time series. Murray State has won five of the last six encounters, but TSU did steal a game in the most recent meetings when the two sides split a doubleheader in 2019.

A Look at the Racers:

Murray State glides into the weekend on a roll since beginning OVC play as they are winners of five straight and currently sit in second place in the conference standings with a 9-2 record. The Racers are coming off a doubleheader sweep of Austin Peay in the midweek, and their 60 runs scored against conference opponents ranks second in the OVC. Their 20 stolen bases through the last 11 games are also tied for the most in the league.

The Racers are batting .286 in conference action, and are led by Logan Braundmeier who is posting a .459 average with eight RBIs, 15 runs scored, and two round-trippers against the OVC. Her 15 runs scored and 17 hits both lead the league. Lily Fischer's 12 RBIs in OVC play are tied for second, while Jensen Striegel's seven stolen bases are tied for the most in the conference. Braundmeier (.459), Striegel (.353), Lindsey Carroll (.324), and Sierra Gilmore (.313) are all hitting over .300 against OVC foes.

The Murray State pitching staff has also been impressive through 11 conference contests, as they have posted a 2.27 ERA which ranks second in the OVC. Hannah James has struck out a league-high 37 batters, while holding opposing hitters to a .190 average to pair with a 1.93 ERA. Taylor Makowsky (1.31 ERA, 11Ks, 16.0 IP), and Jenna Veber (3.45 ERA, 7 Ks, 24.1 IP) have also been outstanding in the circle as all three of the aforementioned have collected three wins on the season.

Scouting Tennessee State:

The Tigers enter the weekend as losers of six straight after dropping both ends of a midweek doubleheader to Belmont in their last time out. TSU is batting .240 on the season while averaging 3.16 runs per contest. Leading the way is Bri Vire, who is hitting .351 through all competitions, reaching base at a .433 clip while collecting seven RBIs and five runs scored. Anayah Baker-Rowell has also enjoyed success at the dish this season as she carries a .339 average with a team-leading two home runs and 10 runs scored into the weekend series against the Racers.

The Tiger pitching staff has turned in a 3.59 ERA through all competitions, and are led by Raven Loveless (2-6, 2.28 ERA, 33 Ks) who has tossed a team-high 58.1 innings on the year.

Notes

· Jensen Striegel's 38 career stolen bases have her in a tie with Jenna Bradley (2010-11) for fifth-most in program history. In front of her in the fourth spot is Jessica Twaddle (2014-17) with 39, while Shelbey Miller (2013-16) is third on the list with 41.

· Fifth-year senior Lexi Jones needs just one more home run to break into the top five on Murray State's all-time home runs list. Her 24 career round-trippers currently sits one behind Casey Castile's 25 for fifth-most in Racer history. Castile played for MSU from 2012-14.

· With a pair of RBIs in Murray State's doubleheader sweep of Austin Peay on Wednesday, Sierra Gilmore passed both Shelbey Miller and Ellyn Troup to move into sixth on the program's all-time career RBI list with 101 in a Racer uniform. She is now just four away from tying Jenna Bradley's 105 to move into the Racer top five.

· With 85 strikeouts on the year, junior Hannah James owns sole possession of the #4 spot on the program's all-time strikeout list with 255 total in a Racer uniform. Her 22 career wins are also sixth-most in Racer history as she chases Chelsey Sullivan's (2010-12) 27 to move into the top five.

· Sierra Gilmore has posted six multi-hit games on the year to lead the Racers in that category, while Lily Fischer has produced six multi-RBI performances.