Story by Adam Redfern
Staff writer
The Murray State softball team hit the road for the Troy Invitational to kick off the spring season and came away winless after five games.
Saturday, Feb. 9:
Murray State vs. Maryland
Maryland propelled itself to an early lead in the top of the first thanks to a three-run home run from sophomore infielder Sammie Stefan.
Murray State started the bottom of the first with senior infielder Brenna Fick getting walked. Fick stole second on the next at-bat, allowing junior infielder Lexi Jones to score her with a double to right field.
The Racers got another run back when senior infielder Lillie Goetz singled to left, bringing freshman utility player Lindsey Carroll, who was walked around, to score, making it 3-2.
Maryland extended its lead in the top of the third as senior infielder Bailey Boyd drove in junior infielder Anna Kufta after she opened the frame with a leadoff single.
In the bottom half of the fourth, freshman utility player Denise Teague recorded a leadoff double for the Racers. Goetz then built on an impressive outing by driving in Teague and cutting the lead to a single run at 4-3.
Murray State did not find another run in the last four innings. The defense surrendered an additional two runs in the late innings to give Maryland a 6-3 win.
Murray State vs. #9 Alabama
Game two of the Trojan Classic saw the Racers take on No. 9 Alabama. The Crimson Tide displayed why they are a nationally ranked team when they pitched a one-hitter against the Racers.
Alabama took a comfortable lead against Murray State in the third inning when they combined excellent hitting with a parade of Racer errors, leading to six unearned runs. Sophomore outfielder Jensen Striegel got the only hit for the Racers when she beat out her bunt. The Racers would lose 12-0 in a five inning game.
Sunday, Feb. 10:
Murray State v. Alabama
After No. 9 ranked Alabama trounced the Racers on the first day of the Troy Invitational, Murray State put up a bigger fight in the teams’ second meeting. However, the Crimson Tide still came out victorious 16-10.
Alabama gained an early lead with a run in the first inning driven in by sophomore outfielder Kaylee Tow. The Racers answered with their own offensive showcase when they scored three in the top of the second.
Three Murray State batters were walked and a fielder’s choice led to senior catcher Madison Culver scoring. Sophomore outfielder Logan Braundmeier hit a double, sending the remaining Racers home, giving Murray State a 3-1 lead.
The Crimson Tide opened the bottom of the second with one batter getting hit by a pitch and two others being walked. Sophomore infielder Kyra Lockhart grounded out to third, but Alabama managed to sneak a runner home.
The Racers put up two goose eggs in the third and fourth innings, but the Crimson Tide kept on rolling. With one run scored in the third and four more in the fourth, Alabama took a 7-3 lead going into the fifth.
Murray State began slowly shrinking the lead when sophomore infielder Sierra Gilmore hit a two-run double to center and junior infielder Lexi Jones singled up the middle to score Gilmore. This left the Racers trailing 7-6 going into the sixth inning.
After an uneventful frame from the Tide, the Racers scored four runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead. Sophomore catcher Danielle Walls hit a three-run bomb after an error scored one and loaded the bases.
With Murray State up 10-7, Alabama scored nine in the bottom of the sixth with three coming in the form of a three-run dinger by junior utility player Bailey Hemphill. The Racers were unable to keep the Crimson Tide offense silent in the end, walking away with a 16-10 loss.
Murray State v. Troy
Murray State dropped another game on the day losing to Troy 2-1. In a pitchers duel, both teams were held scoreless until the fifth inning when the Racers struck first.
Braundmeier tripled to left driving home freshman utility player Lindsey Carroll giving the Racers a 1-0 lead.
Troy scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth. The Racers couldn’t score another run and neither could Troy, leaving the final score at 2-1 Troy.
Murray State v. Maryland
The Racers dropped its final game in the tournament, and the second meeting of these two teams, 3-2.
Murray State took the lead early in the third inning when senior infielder Brenna Fink hit a sacrifice fly to right center, scoring Braundmeier.
Maryland answered back in the fifth inning when freshman catcher Gracie Voulgaris singled up the middle allowing senior infielder Bailey Boyd to score.
Both teams found little success in the offense department leading to extra innings, and in the top of the eighth the sophomore infielder Jensen Striegel scored off a single from freshman utility player Denise Teague.
Junior infielder Anna Kufta ended the Racers’ dreams when she hit a walk-off double.
After a winless tournament, the Racers will be playing in the Madeira Beach Invitational on Feb. 15-17 in Madeira Beach, Florida.
