Simon Elfrink
Sports Editor
Murray State softball fell short in a close contest on Tuesday, March 16, when the University of Memphis Tigers snuck a 3-2 win past the Racers at Racer Field.
Memphis got on the scoreboard first after getting runners at second and third with one out in the top of the second inning. The Racers’ starting pitcher, sophomore left-hander Jenna Veber, found herself in a jam. However, she got away with only one run scored after a single to left field off the bat of senior outfielder Delaney Smith.
The Tigers tallied another run after an RBI double from sophomore catcher Meagan Chism scored redshirt junior utility player Kendall Lee from first base.
The Racers struck back when senior infielder Sierra Gilmore hit a solo home run to center field.
Murray State continued to come back with a rally in the fifth inning, putting runners at the corners off a walk by junior catcher Allie Kennedy and a single from senior utility player Logan Braundmeier. Senior outfielder Jensen Striegel got a run home with a ground ball, tying the game at 2-2.
The score remained tied at two through the seventh inning, sending the game into extras. Memphis got a runner on second base after an error and a sacrifice bunt. Another error led to that runner scoring, giving the Tigers a 3-2 lead.
The Racers went one, two, three in the bottom of the eighth inning, letting Memphis walk away with a close victory.
Veber threw five innings in the circle, allowing five hits and two runs, only one of which was earned. Veber also struck out six batters and walked none. Freshman right-hander Kamryn Carcich took over the rubber for the last three innings of the game. The Tigers scored a single run on Carcic, but it was not earned. Memphis did not tally a single hit against Carcich.
The Racers will be back in action on Saturday, March 20, at 1 p.m., when they take on Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville for a three-game series in Edwardsville, Illinois.
