Story by Adam Redfern
Staff writer
aredfern@murraystate.edu
Racer softball is looking to rebound in 2019 after finishing next to last in the OVC with an overall record of 16-36 (6-16) last year.
Murray State is picked to finish ninth in the OVC preseason polls after a lackluster performance last year. After having its worst season under Head Coach Kara Amundson last year, the team will look to freshmen for help.
“We have been going since August with these guys,” Amundson said. “This time of year we are getting ready and getting onto the field, and that is a big deal for us. We are just trying to fine-tune a lot of things and making sure our pitchers are ready to go.”
Amundson is hoping that some new players can help the Racers be more competitive this year, with the additions of utility players Lindsey Carroll, from Paducah, Kentucky, Abby Shoulders, from Paducah, Kentucky, infielder Jordan Childress, from Peachtree City, Georgia, and pitcher Hannah James, from Nicholasville, Kentucky.
“Every year is a new year, with different personnel,” Amundson said. “We have talked about last year and what went wrong last year and how we can be better. We finished Top-5 in some offensive categories last year. I think there is some things we can ride the wave from last year. Also, we have seven freshman this year and we just need to leave last year in the past.”
The Racers are looking to improve their home record, only winning one of their 12 home games last season.The team was able to split their away games at 5-5.
Murray State had no problem last year starting its games off on the right foot, outscoring their opponents 22 runs to 16 in the first inning. However, the team let its offensive game slide in the second inning, only scoring one run compared to the opponent’s 18.
The Racers also struggled in close games last year, losing three out of nine one-run games in the OVC and all three of their games that went into extra innings.
Murray State will head to Troy, Alabama, on Friday, Feb. 8, to play in the Troy University tournament where they will play Maryland University, University of Alabama and the host Troy University.