Racers Victorious in Season Opener off of Ozment Walkoff Single

Friday, February 7

Mobile, AL

9 a.m.

Murray State

1-0

Northwestern State

0-1

Northwestern State

Murray State

Racers Victorious in Season Opener off of Ozment Walkoff Single

2/7/2025 12:02:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Ava Ozment records the game-winning RBI to make the Racers 1-0 in 2025.

By: Charlie Williams

The Murray State Races (1-0) defeated the Northwestern State Demons (0-1) 2-1 on Friday morning to secure a season-opening victory.

The Demons got on the board, with Brynn Daniel scoring on a wild pitch in the second following a scoreless first.

Both teams continued to feel each other out until the fourth inning when Kenley Minor singled to right field. After advancing to third via a sacrifice bunt from Erin Lackey and a Katy Huels ground out, Minor scored the Racers' first run on a fielding error by Northwestern State second baseman Cash Herber, tying the contest 1-1.

Bre Haislip started off the sixth inning with her fifth strikeout of the game, however, the next two Demon batters reached base on an error and a double. Raylee Roby entered the circle in relief, however before she could throw a pitch the skies opened up for what would be a nine-minute rain delay. Immediately following the delay, Bailie Ragsdale singled to load the bases with just one out and the game still tied 1-1.

With the bases loaded, Roby was able to draw a pop-out from Savannah Coleman and sent the game to the final inning by closing a nine-pitch at-bat by Brynn Daniel with a strikeout looking.

In the seventh inning, Roby allowed a one-out single to Cameron Curtis and hit Riley Schwisow to put two Demons on base. However, the Racer defense was once again able to respond, turning a clutch double play to bring Rylee Webb to the plate.

Webb got the action going quickly in the seventh, singling to left field and allowing Summer Ray to be brought in to pinch run. Ray then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Bailey Broemmer. With two outs and Ray on second, head coach Kara Amundson called on Ava Ozment to pinch hit.

Stepping to the plate just as the sun broke through the clouds, Ozment immediately rewarded Amudson with a single to right field. Ray turned hard at third base and slid into home plate, avoiding the tag and securing a 2-1 win for the Navy & Gold.

Bre Haislip pitched 5.1 innings with five strikeouts and no earned runs and was relieved by Raylee Roby who collected the win. Brooklynn Stohler took the loss for the Demons, pitching 6.2 innings and allowing four hits and one earned run.

Kenley Minor led the way at the plate for the Racers, going 2-3 with a fourth-inning single and a sixth-inning double. Rylee Webb and Ava Ozment recorded hits for the Racers as well.

Sophia Livers, Bailie Ragsdale, Brynn Daniel, and Cameron Curtis all recorded hits for the Demons.

Next up for the Racers is a 4:30 p.m. CT contest with South Alabama.

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