The Racers complete a series sweep against Drake University to extend their winning streak to 10.
Game 1
The Racers stole the first game of the series with a 6-5 win against Drake University.
To begin the matchup, the Racers scored three in the first inning from a two-run single by sophomore infielder Kenley Minor and a throwing error from the Bulldogs’ catcher to make the score 3-0. Drake was able to get themselves on the board in the bottom of the first with a ground out for their first run of the game.
In the second inning, the Racers added two more runs to their lead with junior utility Adison Hicks’ two RBI single. However, Drake tore down the Racers lead to one with a three-run third inning.
The Racers took back their lead with one more run in the fifth inning after senior outfielder Bailey Broemmer stole home. Even though Drake added one more run in the seventh inning, the Racers took the first game with a 6-5 victory.
Sophomore outfielder Kynadee Warner went 3-4 with one run, the only Racer with a multi-hit game. After a 3.1 inning outing and took the win, sophomore pitcher Karlye Graber struck out two and only gave up one run.
Game 2
A 17-6 win for the Racers highlighted strong offensive power against Drake.
Drake wasted no time to score, hitting a three-run home run in the bottom of the first to put them up 3-0. To chip down at Drake’s lead, the Racers added on two runs on an error and fielder’s choice. Drake took back the momentum after scoring three more runs, making it 5-2 going into the third inning. The Racers took Drake’s lead back down to one with a two out, two RBI single from Broemmer.
The fourth inning is where the Racers took control of the game, when eight runs flipped the game completely. An RBI single from both junior utility Parker Holcombe and Minor tied the game but back-to-back home runs from freshman catcher Allie Waldron and Broemmer extended the Racers lead and momentum. A double from senior utility Ava Ozment topped off the fourth inning with a score of 12-5.
The Racers didn’t quit in the fifth inning and put up five more runs by the help of another home run from Waldron. This gave the Racers three runs, and a single from Hicks added two more.
Drake, with one final attempt, scored one run in the fifth inning before the game was called to make the final 17-6.
Waldron’s two home run game gave her six RBIs in the match while going 3-4. Warner went 3-5 with one run. Graber took another win with a three inning, one earned run performance.
Game 3
To sweep the series and clinch their Missouri Valley Conference position, the Racers took game 3 with a 9-7 win.
In an attempt to bounce back from their losing streak, Drake scored two runs in the first inning off of four hits. The Racers, in response, cut the lead in half from an RBI single from sophomore utility Katy Huels. They follow up in the third inning to tie the game off of an unearned run. In the fourth inning, the Racers added another run from a pinch hit single from Ozment.
In a heated fifth inning, Murray State scored three off of a two-run home run from Hicks and an error. However, Drake’s offense warmed up as well with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, cutting the Racers lead down to two.
Continuing on with the offensive energy, the Racers scored three in the sixth with a single from Hicks and a fielder’s choice by Minor.
Drake’s comeback arrived too late, as they were only able to cut down the lead to two in the seventh inning to give the Racers their last series sweep of the season.
The Racers clinched their MVC championship third seed position with one game left of the regular season. Their final game until the championship will be played against the University of Evansville at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6.
