GAME ONE BOX SCORE (PDF) | BOX SCORE (HTML)
GAME TWO BOX SCORE (PDF) | BOX SCORE (HTML)
MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Eagle softball swept Oakland Univeristy during Friday afternoon's home opening non-conference doubleheader at University Softball Field, 8-7 and 2-0.
In game one Morehead State (6-10) starter junior Ashley Imperial pitched well and the offense provided excellent run support. Imperial ran into trouble in the sixth inning allowing an RBI single followed by a grand slam over the right field wall which brought the score to 7-6.
Oakland (4-10) scored another run to tie the game in the top of the seventh inning and take the game to extra innings. Third baseman Kylee Schalz led Grizzlie hitters with four RBI in game one.
MSU won game one on a RBI single to left field by Sam Woodall as junior Sam Sparks scored from second base. Kayla Ashbrook and Stephanie Etter had three RBI apiece in game one and senior Rebecca Butler led the team with three hits.
"It is a compliment to our defense that we were able to pull out that win (in game one)," said coach Holly Bruder. "Oakland doubled our hit total and we still pulled out the victory with great defense on the infield."
Imperial earned the win for MSU in game one, her third of the season, tossing 7.2 innings striking out two. Starter Brittany Doyle took the loss for the Golden Grizzlies allowing six earned runs over 4.2 innings.
In game two, the Eagles scored two runs in the third and sixth inning behind a masterful pitching performance by freshman Kelcey McMurray. McMurray pitched a complete-game shutout striking out three.
Oakland starter Alison Tansel threw six innings, scattering eight Eagle hits and took the loss.
Woodall and centerfielder Elizabeth Wagner drove in the only runs of the game, and junior Kayla Brill recorded two hits for the Eagles. Five Oakland errors aided the Eagles in the third inning when they scored their first run of game two.
"We had two great wins to get things started at home this season," said Bruder. "The distractions of a home opener were there, but we overcame them and played well."
Eagle softball takes the field Saturday to begin the Comfort Inn and Suites Classic at University Softball FIeld. MSU will face Bowling Green for game one of the twin-bill beginning at 1:00 p.m. followed by the night cap against IUPUI set for a 3:00 p.m. start.
