The Murray State softball team found success in the midpoint of their season. They took two games out of three in a home series against fellow Missouri Valley Conference team Bradley to secure the series win.
Game One, 5-3 Bradley
The Braves scored first in the opening game, bringing their lead to 1-0 entering the bottom of the second, but the Racers responded quickly. Junior utility player Riley Jestadt hit a sacrifice fly to center field, which allowed sophomore infielder Kenley Minor to advance home and tied the game 1-1 entering the third.
Both teams’ offenses quieted down considerably following the second, but Bradley rediscovered their offensive footing in the top of the seventh, with a four-run inning allowing the team to regain their lead. Despite senior outfielder Bailey Broemmer hitting a two-RBI home run in the bottom of the seventh, the Braves held on and carried their 5-3 lead to the end for the victory.
Senior pitcher Bre Haislip took the mound for Murray State in the game. She allowed nine hits and five RBIs in 6.2 innings, while striking out four.
Game Two, 10-0 Murray State
The Racers saw a complete offensive turnaround in game two. Sophomore outfielder Kynadee Warner struck first, advancing home on a fielder’s choice. Holcombe and Broemmer continued their output from the series opener, and each scored an RBI to bring Murray State’s lead to 3-0 exiting the first inning.
To start the second, junior utility player Adison Hicks singled to right field, advancing freshman catcher Lily Wolf home. Senior utility player Ava Ozment added onto the Racers’ lead in the third and scored her first NCAA grand slam to bring the team’s lead to 8-0. Hicks continued Murray State’s scoring streak in the fourth, hitting the team’s second home run of the game to increase their lead by two runs. Despite the team’s offense stalling out in the second half of the game, it was enough to secure a 10-0 win for the Racers.
Junior pitcher Raylee Roby pitched the full five innings for Murray State, going scoreless with five hits and a walk while striking out five.
Game Three, 4-3 Murray State
The Racers struck first in the rubber match of the series, with Holcombe hitting a single to right field to advance Warner home in the bottom of the first. However, Murray State’s offense stalled out and Bradley took a 3-1 lead over Murray State entering the bottom of the sixth.The Racers fought back. Broemmer singled to right field, allowing both Holcombe and Hicks to advance home, and tied the game, sending the contest to extra innings. Murray State shut out the Braves in the top of the eighth, with the Racers offense aiming to walk the game off. Minor got to play hero for the home team with a single to left field to drive Holcombe in for the game and series win.
Three pitchers saw at least two innings on the mound for Murray State in the rubber match. Haislip registered the win in the game, striking out two while giving up two hits in two innings of play. Sophomore pitcher Karlye Graber pitched 2.2 innings and gave up a run and two hits while walking one. Lastly, Roby gave up two runs and four hits, struck out one and walked one in 3.1 innings.
Following the series win, the Racers look ahead to their final stretch of the year, with 12 games remaining. Murray State is set to host a three-game series against Indiana State at Racer Field, starting on April 17 at 2 p.m. The first two games will be broadcast on ESPN+.
