Racers Fall Short in Series Opener Against Redbirds

Friday, May 2

Murray, KY

6:30 p.m.

Murray State

20-26, 10-15

Illinois State

22-28, 15-10

Redbirds

Murray State

Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics

5/2/2025 9:46:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

MSU Returns Tomorrow for Senior Day

By: Charlie Williams

The Murray State Racers (20-26, 10-15 MVC) fell to the Illinois State Redbirds (22-28, 15-10 MVC) 4-2 in the opening game of their final regular season series on Friday night in Murray, Ky.

Despite the loss, the Racers remain one game ahead of Valparaiso in the Missouri Valley Conference standings in ninth. Meanwhile, Illinois State remains in fourth.

After a scoreless opening inning that saw Bre Haislip notch a pair of strikeouts, the Racers jumped ahead in the second. Sophomore Kayleigh White fired a no-doubt solo shot over the wall in left center for her first home run of 2025 to put the Racers ahead 1-0.

The Redbirds responded with big innings in the third and fourth, putting up a pair of runs in each to take a commanding 4-1 lead into the final innings.

The Racers entered the seventh inning still trailing 4-1. Freshman catcher Emerson McKinnins continued her habit of providing clutch hits by opening the inning with a double. Kenley Minor added a double of her own, this one scoring pinch runner Taylor Franzen to cut the deficit to 4-2. However, Minor was later caught stealing, and with two outs, Hannah Sutton struck out to end the game.

On the evening, the Racers scored two runs on nine hits and the Redbirds scored four on seven hits. Neither team committed an error.

Nine different Racers recorded a hit as Kenley Minor provided the team's lone RBI, and Emerson McKinnis added a pair of walks alongside her double. Bre Haislip (6-12) was the losing pitcher after getting the start. The junior pitched three innings, giving up five hits and three earned runs while walking five and striking out two. Raylee Roby went four innings in relief, allowing two hits and one run, while walking one and striking out two.

Hannah Meshnick (11-10) pitched a complete game and got the win, allowing nine hits and two earned runs while walking two and collecting a pair of strikeouts. Abby Knight led the Redbirds with a pair of hits while Addison Masching and Ella Boyer added an RBI each.

The Racers and Redbirds return to action on Saturday, May 3 at Racer Field in Murray, Ky. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CT with Senior Day festivities preceding. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Harold Houston on the call.

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