Story by Zach Scott, Staff writer

Murray State softball (15-33) split the double header with Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (21-18) 1-1 Sunday afternoon at Racer Field.

Game One:

Senior pitcher Haven Campbell pitched a masterpiece in the first game, throwing a complete hit shutout. Campbell struck out and walked one along the way.

The game was mostly a pitcher’s duel, with the game being scoreless through the first five innings.

The first runs of the game were scored when freshman infielder Sierra Gilmore hit a clutch two-run homerun in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring junior catcher Madison Culver. This gave Murray State the decisive 2-0 lead over SIUE.

Head Coach Kara Amundson had nothing but praise for Gilmore after her game-winning homerun

“It was huge, obviously a super tight game up to that point and their pitcher had been holding us,” Amundson said.

Gilmore led the way for the Racers, going 1-for-3 with a homerun and two RBIs. Culver contributed a 2-for-3 clip with a double and a run scored.

Game Two:

SIUE wasted no time getting on the board the second game, as they took the early 1-0 lead thanks to a solo home run by sophomore infielder Zoe Schafer.

The Cougars were able to keep the Racers fairly quiet up until the bottom of the fifth inning, where Murray State was able to load the bases with two outs and junior infielder Lillie Goetz up to bat. Goetz was unsuccessful in plating a runner though, as SIUE escaped the fifth with their 1-0 lead intact.

Other than the fifth inning, the Cougars pitchers were in complete control throughout the game as they shut out the Racers 1-0 in game two of the double header.

Freshman outfielder Jensen Striegel was the lone bright spot for the Racers offense in game two, going 3-for-3 with three singles.

Junior pitcher Grace Vaughn arguably pitched her best game of the season, lasting all seven innings and striking out five.

Despite the loss, Amundson tipped her cap to the Cougars’ tremendous defense in the second game.

“They made two huge catches in the outfield that could have been difference makers, but that’s what you expect your team to show up and do,” Amundson said.

The Racers take the field next at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 1 when they travel upstate to take on Morehead State.