Story by Mark McFarland, Assistant Sports Editor
Freshman utility player Brenna Finck throws the ball to first base during Sunday’s loss against Eastern Illinois.
The Racer softball team welcomed Eastern Illinois by taking the first two games in the series.
Though the Racers lost the third game, senior infielder Shelbey Miller hit her 200th career hit in a Racers uniform. Head Coach Kara Amundson said Miller has been great to coach over the last four seasons and she is thankful for her contributions to the program.
“Shelbey’s been great,” Amundson said. “A four year starter now, she’s kind of moved around defensively a little bit. She’s just been really locked in and she’s been a joy to coach and fun to watch.”
EIU GAME ONE
The Racers shutout the Panthers 4-0 with just five hits and one error in the first game of the series.
Murray State jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first three innings of the game and never looked back. Three of the four runs came off a home run, junior outfielder and infielder Cayla Levins hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the third inning to push the Racers lead to 4-0.
Eastern Illinois’ freshman utility player Jennifer Ames flew out to end the top of the sixth inning during Sunday’s game. The Panthers beat the Racers 2-0.
EIU GAME TWO
Eastern Illinois jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but Murray State scored three of its own to tie the game in the bottom half of the inning.
The Racers earned 13 hits on their way to win the second game 7-5.
Freshman catcher Madison Culver led Murray State, finishing the game 2-4 with three RBIs and a home run. Maddy Feeney, sophomore outfielder, also finished the game 3-3.
Sophomore pitcher Haven Campbell pitched 6.2 innings on her way to earning the win for the Racers.
EIU GAME THREE The Panthers two-hit the Racers on their way to win the third game of the series 2-0.
For the first six innings of the game, Murray State could only muster one hit and no runs. However, in the seventh inning the Racers got a runner on base, but could not score to try and put a dent in the two-run deficit.
Despite pitching seven innings and only giving up five hits, sophomore pitcher Mason Robinson took the loss. Amundson said she was happy her team fought hard all series and took two games out of three, but they really should have taken all three games.
“Anytime we can take a series from here on out, it’s a big deal.”
Miller said she believes her team can continue to compete against every team they play.
“It shows us we can do this,” Miller said. “Those games proved it, not that we needed to prove to ourselves anyway.”
COMING UP
The Racers’ doubleheaders against Western Kentucky was canceled because of weather forecast and has been rescheduled for April 26 at 4:30 p.m. Their next game is a pair of doubleheaders against Tennessee State on Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee, and against the Belmont Bruins at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Racer Field.