MOREHEAD, Ky. – The Morehead State softball team did everything it could to defeat host Murray State on Saturday at Racer Field, but fell just short, dropping a 1-0 decision on the home squad's Senior Day.

It was the second straight 1-0 result in Murray between the two clubs.

The Eagles held their own against Murray's ace pitcher Hannah James and belted out four hits, while striking out just seven times against the junior hurler and front runner for Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year, who entered the day with a league-leading 192 K's.

The Racers just got three hits off Morehead State sophomore and reigning OVC Pitcher of the Week Lennon Spicer.

"Lennon did a great job on the mound keeping the hitters off balance. Our defense played stellar behind her. We only gave up a walk and a timely hit that scored that run. So, for the most part, we were in that game the whole time," Morehead State coach Samantha Jones said. "We out-hit them. We have just got to do a better job of having more back-to-back hits in the same inning, rather than spread out throughout the seven innings. We are looking forward going in to tomorrow and competing with Murray State again and putting our best effort out there."

Elsewhere around the league, everything played out to favor the Eagles in their hunt to earn a bid to the conference tournament: SIUE dropped two games to Austin Peay, while Eastern Illinois lost its opportunity to pick up a win after having its contest with Tennessee Tech rained out.

However, with Murray State's victory, Morehead State (7-35/6-19) was eliminated from the post-season equation. In contrast, the Racers moved into a tie for first after Belmont lost its game with Southeast Missouri.

Both teams led off their opening offensive frame with a single. The Eagles' junior left-fielder Maddi Gailor's shot went to left field, but was eventually caught trying to steal second. Racer senior right fielder/center fielder Logan Braundmeier had a hit up the middle, advanced one base after a sacrifice bunt and another in a fly out to right field. A walk put runners on the corners with two outs, but the next batter grounded out to end the inning.

The pitcher's duel continued through the third inning. James retired the side in the second and third, and had four strikeouts after facing the first 10 batters. Spicer held Murray to two hits, with a walk and three strikeouts after matching up against 12 batters in the first three frames.

Gailor notched her second single of the afternoon and picked up her first stolen base to extend her team-high total to 12, but that was it for the Morehead State offense in the fourth.

Murray State (36-14-1/20-4) did its damage in the bottom of the inning. Sophomore first baseman Lily Fischer walked and junior second baseman Lindsey Carroll followed with a double to center field that plater Fischer for what turned out to be the winning run.

In the fifth, Eagle junior designated player Taylor Rhea singled to right field, while Racer freshman right fielder Erin Lackey walked, but neither could make much progress around the bases.

Morehead State's senior third baseman Peyton Rose walked to lead off the sixth and senior first baseman Alexis Strother singled with two outs in the seventh, while Murray's batters went down in order in the bottom of the sixth.

Gailor finished 2-for-3 at the plate, while Strother and Rhea each added hits. Rose drew the team's lone walk. The Eagles left two runners on base.

Spicer pitched a gem, but fell to 6-18, despite just surrendering one run, on three this, with four strikeouts and three walks in six innings.

Three different Racers recorded hits: Braundmeier, Carroll and designated player/left fielder Isabella Wilson. Carroll earned the RBI, while Fischer scored the lone run.

James went the distance to improve to 19-4. She gave up four hits while collecting her ninth solo shutout of the year. She struck out seven and walked one.

The two teams conclude the series and the regular season on Sunday with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. ET.