MUR 8, MOR 2 -
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Box Score (PDF) MOR 3, MUR 2 -
Box Score |
Box Score (PDF)MOREHEAD, Ky. - Morehead State softball split a doubleheader with Murray State at University Field on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles fell in the first game, 8-2, before winning the second game, 3-2.
With the split, the Eagles move to 17-11 on the season and are now 6-1 in OVC play. The Racers move to 11-17 and 2-5 in league play.
"We held them (Murray State) scoreless in 11 of 14 innings today and they have a really good offense," said head coach
David Williams. "I'm proud of our effort today, it's just unfortunate that we gave up one big inning in the first game."
The Eagles led 2-0 heading to the fifth inning in game one and sophomore
Mackenzie Grossmann had held the Racers hitless. But, after retiring the first batter in the fifth, the next seven batters reached as Murray State put up eight runs. The Racers recorded six hits in the fifth and the Eagles committed two errors to extend the inning.
Grossmann (6-6) picked up the loss. She allowed six hits and eight runs, but just three were earned, while walking three and striking out four.
Morehead State had four hits, three of which were by sophomore
Robyn Leighton, as she finished 3-for-3 with an RBI.Â
In the second game, sophomore
Hannah Murphy delivered a two-out RBI triple down the right field line in the fourth inning to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
After Murray State tied it up with a run in the top of the fifth, Morehead State regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning as sophomore
Lindsay Ward singled in one run and junior
Karly Thompson scored junior
Kayla McGuffey on a sacrifice fly.
After freshman
Allison Rager pitched five strong innings, fellow freshman
Taylor Funk entered the game in the top of the sixth.
The first two batters reached against Funk and runners were at second and third with nobody out. But, on the next play, the defense stepped up with a huge double play, getting the runner at second base out in a rundown and then getting the runner on third base as she attempted to score.
In the seventh, Thompson made an over-the-shoulder catch to rob Murray State of a leadoff hit. Following a triple and a walk, sophomore catcher
Laine Simmons threw out the baserunner attempting to steal second, but the Racers trimmed the lead to 3-2 as the runner on third scored on the play.
A batter later, Funk induced a fly out to left field to end the game.
Rager (8-2) picked up the win and has now recorded victories in five straight decisions. She went five innings, allowing six hits and an earned run, while striking out one and walking none.
Funk picked up her second save after allowing a run in two innings of work.
Murphy finished 2-for-3 with a triple and an RBI, while senior
Tressa Watson went 2-for-2.
Next up, the Eagles travel to Dayton on Tuesday to take on the Flyers in a doubleheader. First pitch of the first game is set for 3 p.m. ET.
