Murray State traveled to Troy, Alabama over the weekend and went 2-2, beating the Kennesaw State University Owls twice and falling to the Troy University Trojans twice in the 2023 Trojan Classic.

The first game of the Racers’ weekend came on Friday, Feb. 17 against the Owls, who were 1-1 going into the weekend. The game was scoreless through three innings until the Owls got on the board with a 2-0 lead, thanks to a pair of RBI hits in the fourth inning. 

Redshirt senior infielder Gracie Osbron gave the Racers their first run in the game after hitting a home run to left centerfield in the same inning, cutting the Owls’ lead in half. Osbron homered once more in the fifth inning with a runner on base, giving the Racers a 3-2 lead. 

Freshman outfielder Jadyn Thompson then hit a single to left field in the sixth inning, driving in freshman catcher Taylor Franzen. The Racers scored three more times in the sixth inning and won the first game of the Trojan Classic 7-2.

Redshirt junior pitcher Jenna Veber picked up her second win of the year after pitching three innings. She struck five batters out and did not allow them to get on base in her three innings pitched. Osbron finished the game 2-4 with two home runs and three RBIs. 

Murray State’s second Friday game was against the Trojans, who were 2-2 going into the weekend. The Racers jumped ahead in the second inning after redshirt junior infielder Lily Fischer hit a double to drive in two Racers. Unfortunately for Murray State, these would be the last runs the team put on the board. 

The Trojans scored three runs in the third inning to take the lead. The Trojans added one more run in the sixth with a home run to seal the 4-2 win. 

Sophomore outfielder Erin Lackey finished the game with two hits in four at bats. Veber received the loss for the game, pitching four innings. Veber allowed five hits and two runs and struck three batters out.

The Racers played the Owls again on Saturday, Feb. 18 for the second meeting of the weekend between the two teams. The Racers struck first after Fischer drove in freshman outfielder Adison Hicks in the first inning. 

Junior catcher Taylor Jackson drove in redshirt senior infielder Lindsey Carroll in the second inning. Osbron then doubled, driving in three Racers to give the Racers a 5-0 lead through two innings. 

Carroll hit a home run in the seventh inning with Fischer on base to extend the Racers’ lead to 7-0. The Owls were able to score in the seventh inning before ultimately losing the game 7-1.

Veber pitched all seven innings, walking just one batter and striking out six. She allowed three hits and a run. Fischer went 3-4 with a run and RBI. Osbron finished 1-4 with 3 RBIs. 

The Racers were shut out in the final game of the Trojan Classic, losing to the Trojans 6-0. As a team, Murray State finished with a total of four hits. Two of those hits came from Fischer, and the other two from Thompson and Jackson.

Redshirt senior pitcher Hannah James received the loss. She pitched four innings, allowing five hits and three runs. 

The Racers’ record is now 4-5, and their focus now shifts to the invitational that will be held on their home field. 

The Racers play twice on the first day of the 2023 Velvet Milkman Invitational. Their first game comes against the Ball State University Cardinals at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24. Murray State then faces off against the Miami University RedHawks at 4:45 p.m. on the same day.

Murray State and Ball State meet again at 3:45 on Saturday, Feb. 25. The Racers’ second Saturday game is against the Loyola University Chicago Ramblers at 6 p.m. 

The last game of the invitational is against the Bellarmine University Knights at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26.

[email protected]