Murray State softball took on Northern Iowa in a three-game series to open Missouri Valley Conference play on March 6-7. The Racers were only able to play two out of the three games due to weather conditions.

Game 1

Murray State got off to a good start in the opening game, plating four runs in the first inning of the game. Sophomore midfielder Katy Huels notched the opening run of the day on a passed ball before sophomore infielder Kenely Minor then plated another on an RBI single. Junior midfielder Parker Holcombe scored two more on a single making the score 4-0.

The Panthers began scoring in the third inning as sophomore outfielder Katelyn Callahan scored two on a single. Northern Iowa responded with six runs over the next two innings to take an 8-4 lead. 

 In the fifth inning, the Panthers tacked on one more in the sixth as senior infielder Kate Lappe scored a home run, putting the Panthers ahead 9-4. In the bottom seventh inning, the Racers climbed their way back into the game where Holcombe delivered the first run of the inning with her second RBI single of the day. With two outs and two runners in scoring position, senior infielder Ailey Schyck tied the game with a single through the right side that scored two and forced extra innings with the game now being tied 9-9. 

Sophomore pitcher Karlye Graber retired the side to begin the eighth inning as senior outfielder Bailey Broemmer went 2-for-5 on the day with the game winning RBI. The game ended 10-9, with the Racers winning the first game. 

Game 2

The Panthers jumped in front early in game two, putting up four runs in the first inning off a pair of RBI singles and a sacrifice fly. Sophomore infielder Skyler Benesh added one more in the second as she hit a home run. 

The Racers got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second as Minor hit a deep solo shot to right field and Holcombe stole home making the score 5-2. Schyck added a solo home run of her own in the bottom of the fourth. Senior infielder Allie Waldron cut the deficit to 5-4 with an RBI single that junior midfielder Adison Hicks scored. 

The Racers couldn’t add another run to the remainder of the game as the Panthers scored two runs in the sixth and four in the seventh and claimed the 11-4 win.

Murray State Softball will host the Valparaiso Beacons at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 13, at Racer Field.