The Racer softball team won both games in its double header against Bethel on Wednesday.
Murray State scored a total of 18 runs throughout both games.
“There were really good at bats throughout the whole line up,” Head Coach Kara Amundson said. “We put the ball in play really well.”
In the first game, the Racers scored early in the bottom of the first to begin the game up by two. Freshman Shelbey Miller tripled and sophomore Mo Ramsey singled on a bunt to score Miller. Two at bats later, senior Ellyn Troup singled to score Ramsey.
Murray State scored one more run in the third inning on a single by senior Sarah Anderson to score Castile.
In the sixth inning, junior Leslie Bridges grounded out to advance all three of the runners, which caused sophomore Alexa Becker to score. Anderson batted next and grounded out to score sophomore Casey Castile. Freshman Audrey Woodby singled to score Troup, putting the Racers up 6-0.
Sophomore pitcher CheyAnne Gaskey came home with the win after only allowing four hits and zero runs.
“The goal for these games was to work on fundamentals and stay consistent,” Amundson said. “We did that relatively well in the first game.”
The Racers came out scoring again in the first inning of the second game. The first three batters got on base and with the bases loaded; Troup was hit by a pitch to score Ramsey. Anderson reached first on a fielder’s choice, which scored Becker. Bridges walked to score Castile, putting the Racers up 3-0.
In the second inning, Becker hit a two run home run, which scored Miller. Castile then proceeded to hit a solo home run. After that, Troup walked and Bridges hit a two run home run to score them both. The Racers led Bethel 8-0.
Bethel managed to score one run in the third inning, but Murray State turned around and scored three more runs. Senior Christian Cox scored on a wild pitch and Miller scored on a passed ball. The passed ball advanced sophomore Mallory Richardson to third and when freshman Brianne Sanders singled with a bunt, Richardson scored, putting the Racers up 11-1.
The Racers scored one more in the fourth inning to make the final score 12-1. Freshman pitcher J.J. Francis earned the win by only allowing one hit and one walk.
“The pitchers came out and did really well in both games,” senior Sarah Anderson said. “And hitting wise, the team did absolutely great.”
Amundson said she believes quality at bats was an important factor in this game and she is glad the team finished with two wins.
Murray State will head to UT Martin for a three-game series with a double header Saturday and a single game Sunday.
“Our biggest thing in practice is staying focused,” Anderson said. “We look to be consistent and hopefully get three wins against UT Martin.”
Amundson said she believes focus and consistency will be a significant part of the series this coming weekend.
“Every game that we step out on the field is important in terms of us moving toward the playoffs and the end of the season,” Amundson said.
The Racers first game is at 1 p.m. Saturday in Martin, Tenn.
Story by Megan Kavy, Staff writer.