Softball opens OVC play at Austin Peay, Murray State; looks to extend winning streak

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MOREHEAD, Ky. - Morehead State softball (16-7) opens conference play this weekend with a doubleheader at Austin Peay (10-14) on Friday and a doubleheader at Murray State (23-8) on Sunday.

They enter the weekend on a nine-game winning streak, which is their longest streak since they won 11 straight games in 2009.

"I feel really good about where we are right now. I think we've developed a lot of confidence through our non-conference portion of our schedule. Our players are really starting to buy in to our different philosophies that we are trying to instill and they're starting to see results from that," said head coach David Williams. "Most importantly, I think they are playing for each other, they really enjoy being around each other and there's a lot of camaraderie on this team right now."

Junior Chelsea McManaway didn't allow a hit or a walk, while striking out 13, in the 12-0 win over Alderson Broaddus on Tuesday afternoon. The Battlers' lone base runner reached via a hit by pitch.

On the season, she is 9-3 with a league-leading 0.58 ERA. She has struck out 120 batters, which ranks second in the OVC, while walking just 34 in 84.0 innings of work.

The left-hander from Wellston, Ohio has already set the school record with eight shutouts on the season.

"It's comforting to know that she's going to go into the circle and do her job and that our defense is going to make plays behind her. Our big focus is getting run support and putting runs on the board regardless who is in the circle, but it is nice to know that she gives us an opportunity every time out to win a game," said Williams.

Offensively, the Eagles have 23 home runs in 23 games, led by junior Robyn Leighton's eight, while sophomore Allison Rager has six and sophomore Ellen Barrett has five. 

Rager and Barrett each have three home runs in her last four games, including Barrett's walk-off winner against Oakland on Sunday. 

"We're seeing the ball well right now and we're starting to drive it. I feel like the rest of the season that's just going to continue to improve. The long ball isn't always going to be there, so it's important for us to manufacture runs in other ways. It's nice to know that the long ball opportunity is there, but we need to concentrate on base runners first," said Williams.

The Eagles enter the weekend in the RPI top 100 at 93.

"When the RPI came out, I really wasn't expecting to be in the top 100. I knew we had some big wins early in the year, but it's verification that all of the hard work we have put in has been worth it. Our players have bought in to what we're doing and they're believing. It's a true credit to what they're doing every day in practice," said Williams.

Following a successful non-conference portion of the schedule, Morehead State now turns their focus towards OVC play.

"The biggest thing with starting conference play is that every game matters, every game is important. We have to continue to get better and make sure that we are peaking at the right time," said Williams.

Live stats will be available for all four games on MSUEagles.com and the Murray State doubleheader will air live on the OVC Digital Network.