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MOREHEAD, Ky. — The Morehead State-Eastern Kentucky softball series has been interesting this year, to say the least, and Thursday's 12-6 MSU win in the rubber match proved it
The host Eagles built an eight-run lead after two innings in the teams’ rubber match of the series at University Field Thursday. MSU needed just three outs in the top of the fifth to enact the run-rule, leading 9-1, but the Colonels got a grand slam and rallied back to make it 9-6 before the Eagles ended the threat. Then, MSU scored three times itself in the bottom of the fifth and held on to defeat EKU.
The Eagles scored in double digits in all three games in the series this year and rapped out 16 hits today. The teams combined for 69 runs and 76 hits in the three-game series.
Morehead State improved to 12-24 and 6-9 in the OVC as it won the series as well, two games to one. EKU fell to 21-14 and 8-8 in the league.
Kayla Brill, who had a team-high four RBIs for MSU, got the score-fest going with an two-run triple to the base of the right field wall in the first inning.
The Eagles added six runs in the second. Senior catcher Kelsea Bullock got the rally started with a three-run home run, her first of the year, to drive in Corie Roberts and Stephanie Etter. Sam Woodall then laced a hard liner down the left field line, securing a sure double. On the play, the left fielder misplayed the ball and Woodall raced all the way home to make it 6-0. Kayla Ashbrook, who had reached earlier on a dropped pop fly at shortstop, scored the seventh run via a passed ball. Elizabeth Wagner then stole home on a double steal to push the Eagles’ lead to 8-0.
EKU got on the board with a sacrifice fly from Cheyanne Pounds in the top of the fourth.
Amber Riddle gave MSU a 9-1 lead with an RBI single up the middle in the bottom of the fourth.
The Eagles got one out with a runner on second in the top of the fifth, needing just two to seal the victory. But, Ashley Dollins singled home Cassi Gibson off MSU reliever Ashley Imperial, and then Larkyn Wood launched a grand slam to left center to bring EKU to within 9-6.
Butler recorded a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth as the Eagles led 10-6. Brill then smacked her team-best seventh home run of the year – a two-run shot to score Wagner as well – to left field.
Kelcey McMurray (4-7) pitched the first four innings for the Eagles and was credited with the victory. Kristin Perry (8-5) allowed seven runs in just an inning of work to settle for the loss.
Brill was 3-for-3 with four RBIs, Riddle was 3-for-4, and Butler, Woodall and Etter each two hits apiece as well. Wood, who also hit a grand slam against MSU last week, went 3-for-4.
Morehead State travels to UT Martin for a three-game series this weekend. First pitch for Saturday’s doubleheader is set for 2 p.m. EDT.
