Softball continues winning streak

Story by Bryan Edwards, Staff writer

Following their 5-0 record at the inaugural Racer Classic, the Murray State softball team took on the Western Illinois University Leathernecks at Racer Field in a doubleheader.

The Racers swept the doubleheader against the Leathernecks to extend their current winning streak to 11 games.

The Racers used a comeback effort to defeat the Leathernecks in their first game 2-1. After going down 1-0 in the third, junior infielder Erika Downey recorded an RBI single in both the fifth and seventh innings to give the Racers a walk-off win.

Downey led the team’s offense, going 2-for-3 in the game with two RBIs. Senior pitcher Mason Robinson earned her 14th win of the season, pitching a complete game and giving up five hits and having four strikeouts.

In the second game, the Racers outscored the Leathernecks 4-0 in the final three innings to defeat WIU 5-1 in six innings.

Senior infielder Jessica Twaddle got the Racers on the board early by hitting her fifth homerun of the season to left-center field to give the Racers a 1-0 advantage. Twaddle is now tied with senior infielder Taylor Odom for the team-high.

The Leathernecks evened the score at one after senior infielder Holly Hoeltling answered with a homerun of her own in the top of the fourth inning.

The Racers had a burst of offense in the bottom half of the fourth, scoring the final four runs in the game during that inning.

Junior pitcher Haven Campbell held the Leathernecks scoreless for the final two innings to close out the victory. Campbell moved to 8-2 on the season.

The Racers carry their 11-game winning streak into their final nonconference tournament of the season, the 2017 Matador Classic.

The Racers will open the tournament at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 18, against Bryant University in Northridge, California.

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