Simon Elfrink
Sports Editor
Murray State softball swept a three-game series against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Saturday, March 20, and Sunday, March 21.
Game One
The first game was a slow one offensively for both teams, with the Racers only tallying three hits over the seven innings of play. However, those three hits were enough to drive in three runs for the Racers and give them a 3-2 win in the first game of a double header on Saturday, March 20.
All three runs came in the top of the seventh inning when senior outfielder Logan Braundmeier hit an RBI single to drive in sophomore utility player Chloe Jacque, who had walked her way on. The other two RBIs came off the bat of sophomore infielder Lily Fischer when she doubled to right-center field.
While the Cougars out-hit the Racers 7-3, the Racers’ pitching staff was able to minimize the damage done to just two runs. Junior right-hander Hannah James started in the circle, allowing a pair of hits and a run, walking a batter, and striking out two more in the process. Sophomore lefty Jenna Veber earned the official win by throwing the last 3.2 innings of the game, striking out a pair of batters and allowing a single run on five hits.
Game Two
Murray State’s bats stole the stage in the second game of the series, helping propel the Racers to a 7-1 win.
However, the Racers weren’t the first team to score, as SIUE snuck a runner across home plate in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single from redshirt freshman pitcher Lexi King, who also started the game on the rubber for the Cougars.
Down 1-0 in the top of the second inning, the Racers tied the game when freshman designated player Kamryn Carcich hit into a fielder’s choice, trading an out for a run with the Cougars’ defense.
While that was the end of the Racers’ scoring in the second inning, they came right back in the third on a throwing error by King to give them a 2-1 lead.
Braundmeier took the opportunity to push the Murray State lead to 3-1 when she hit a solo home run to left-center field in the top of the fifth for her third of the season.
SIUE remained quiet from the batters’ boxes as Murray State added on in the seventh inning. Braundmeier found herself in the middle of the action once again with a double in the left-center gap, driving in another run. Fischer followed up an at-bat later with a triple to the same spot, driving in two more runs and making the score 6-1. Senior infielder Sierra Gilmore came through with a double down the left-field line for another RBI, giving the Racers a 7-1 lead, which they held through the end of the game.
Redshirt senior right-hander Taylor Makowsky started for the Racers and was credited with the win, improving her record to 3-1 on the year. Makowsky threw five innings and gave up four hits, allowing only one run and walking two batters. Makowsky also struck out four Cougars in her time in the circle.
Veber got the save after pitching two innings and allowing only a single hit in the second game of the series against SIUE.
Game Three
In the final game of the series on Sunday, March 21, the Cougars gave the Racers a run for their money with a more active performance at the plate.
The Cougars scored first on an RBI double by redshirt junior infielder Bailey Concatto.
The Racers looked to answer after a long line of zeros crept across the scoreboard. With the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the fifth, Head Coach Kara Amundson elected to send sophomore outfielder Tyler Shemwell out to pinch hit. Shemwell dewalked, allowing a running to trot across home plate and tie the game at one run apiece.
The Cougars put up a crooked number in the sixth inning when Concatto hit another RBI double. Concatto later scored after an infield single by redshirt sophomore catcher Amber Storer, making the score 3-1.
With three outs separating the Racers from defeat, they looked to Braundmeier to once again be the linchpin in the scoring effort with runners at first and second. Braundmeier delivered, driving in a run with a double to left field. Senior outfielder Jensen Striegel followed up with runners at second and third, hitting into a fielder’s choice but tying the game at three runs. Braundmeier advanced to third on the play and was driven in by Gilmore on a sacrifice fly to left field, giving the Racers a 4-3 lead. An RBI single by Jones gave the Racers another run and a 5-3 lead.
Redshirt junior outfielder Alana Cobb-Adams gave the Cougars some late-game home in the bottom of the seventh inning with an RBI double. However, SIUE didn’t get anything else to go in the inning and the game ended in a 5-4 Racers win.
Veber got the win in the pitchers’ column, pitching only the last two innings and allowing five hits and three earned runs. James’ start in the circle was a huge factor in the Racers’ win, as she went five innings and allowed only a single run on three hits.
After the three-game sweep, the Racers improve to 10-14 overall and 7-2 in conference play. Murray State softball will look to continue their winning trend with a pair of games against Austin Peay State University at Racer Field on Wednesday, March 24, at 2 p.m.
