Simon Elfrink
Sports Editor
The Murray State softball team won its second series in a row, taking two of the three games against Eastern Kentucky University on the weekend of Saturday, March 13, and Sunday, March 14.
“It was kind of crazy doing our own field and stuff,” said Head Coach Kara Amundson. “Having the home crowd, and it was a packed stadium like we want to have.”
Game One
The Racers came out strong in the first game, winning on a 10-2 mercy rule in the fifth inning. The Racers’ bats were in full swing as early as the first inning, after a sacrifice ground ball to second base from sophomore infielder Lily Fischer and a single off the bat of senior infielder Sierra Gilmore made the score 2-0.
The Racers struck again in the on a two-RBI single through the left side of the infield from senior outfielder/utility player Logan Bruandmeier. Fischer delivered again later on in the inning with a runner on third base, driving her home with a fly ball to right field for her second RBI of the game.
Gilmore kept the ball rolling in the bottom of the fourth inning when she doubled to left-center field to drive in a pair of runs. The final blow of the game came in the bottom of the fifth, when Braundmeier hit an RBI single and later came all the way around the bases when junior Jordan Childress hit a ball to deep right field that was booted by both the right fielder. When the throw came in for a play at the plate, EKU’s catcher also mishandled the ball, giving Braundmeier an easy path to the plate and paving the way for a 10-2 victory for the Racers.
EKU’s hitting struggled all game, only managing to get a three in the hits column. Junior right-hander Hannah James threw all five innings against EKU, striking out eight batters in the process.
Game Two
The Racers picked up right where they left off on Sunday, March 14, for the second game of the series. The Racers dominated at the plate in the first inning, loading the bases with a pair of singles and a hit-by-pitch for Gilmore, who delivered with a two-RBI single to center field. Junior utility player Lindsey Carroll followed up with a single to left field, giving the Racers another run. Redshirt senior Lexi Jones capped off the inning with a pair of RBIs on a single through the right side of the infield.
The Colonels didn’t get anything on the Racers’ starting pitcher, redshirt senior right-hander Taylor Makowsky, until the third inning, when they snuck one across the plate on an error to make the score 5-1.
The Colonels did put something together in the top of the fifth with an RBI double by freshman outfielder Jaelyn Sanders, which was followed by an RBI single up the middle by redshirt junior outfielder Sammi Miller.
The Racers answered the Colonels in the form of a two-run homer by Fischer.
“[Fischer’s] playing maturely,” Amundson said. “She’s staying within herself, she’s not making the game too big. It’s been really cool to see her grow and she’s just kind of settled into her swing. She’s really confident in her swing right now and she’s just having fun out there.”
EKU couldn’t answer Fischer’s homer, and the score remained 7-3 for the Racers when the final out of the game was recorded.
“[We] had the bats alive again, really good pitching in the circle from Taylor and Jenna,” Amundson said. “EKU’s been [on] top of the conference this year, have had some really good wins, really competitive wins, so coming out and taking the first two was a big deal for us.”
Game Three
The bats cooled off for both teams in the final game of the series. EKU struck first, putting a run in the first inning and another pair in the second. The Racers responded in the bottom of the second inning with their only run of the game when freshman designated player Kamryn Carcich poked a single through the right side to score Carroll from third. EKU tacked another run on the top of the seventh when redshirt freshman utility player Vianna Barron singled to right field to bring another runner across home plate.
The score remained 4-1 until the end of the game, allowing EKU to salvage a game on the road against the Racers, who began conference play 4-2. After their recent push in the OVC, Murray State’s overall record has improved to 7-13.
The Racers will look to continue their recent play with another home game against Memphis on Tuesday, March 16, at 3 p.m. Racer Field.
