Story by Adam Redfern
Staff writer
aredfern@murraystate.edu
Murray State softball had an impressive weekend, going 3-1 against Tennessee State University and Belmont University while freshman pitcher Hannah James made history.
Game 1 vs. Tennessee State:
Murray State softball split its two game against Tennessee State University on Friday, March 29, dropping the first game 2-1 but turning things around offensivley in the second game to win 7-1.
The first game was a tale of what should have been for the Racers. They got ten hits in the game but they left the majority of these runners on base.
James only allowed four hits on the day and ten strikeouts, but that was all Tennessee State needed to win the first game 2-1.
The Racers struck first in the bottom of the first when sophomore outfielder Jensen Striegel singled up to right to score senior infielder Brenna Finck.
Tennessee State tied the game in the top of the fourth thanks to a single from sophomore infielder Katie Schneider.
Both teams struggled to score after the top of the fourth, but the Tigers got the hits they needed in the top of the eighth when a spree of batters finding gaps was capped off by a single from junior infielder Sarah Snell to score the winning run.
Game 2 vs. Tennessee State:
The Racers were able to come away with a 7-1 win in large part because of senior infielder Lillie Goetz, who had four RBIs for the Racers in the second game against Tennessee State.
Murray State struck first when in the bottom of the first Goetz doubled out to center to score Striegel.
After a drought by both teams, Goetz added two more RBIs to her total in the bottom of the fifth when she doubled to center to score Finck and Striegel. Sophomore infielder Sierra Gilmore made her own mark on the game with a solo home run in the same inning, taking the score to 5-0 for the Racers.
Tennessee State answered with their own home run in the top of the sixth to take the score to 5-1.
Goetz doubled for the third time in the game to score Striegel once more, and the next at bat, junior infielder Lexi Jones, hit a sacrifice fly to score Goetz. The Racers split this series at 1-1 and the Racers’ OVC record at 3-1 on the year.
Game 1 vs. Belmont:
Murray State’s softball team picked up two wins in its series against Belmont University thanks to a perfect game from James and a solid outing from junior pitcher Taylor Makowsky.
The first game of the series was marked by the first Murray State seven-inning perfect game, that was thrown by James. This was the third perfect game in Racers’ history and made James the second pitcher to ever throw a perfect game for Murray State softball.
James accomplished such a feat thanks to help from her defense behind her. With only throwing five strikeouts in the game, James still seemed to always be one step ahead of the batters she faced, as they were never able to find the gaps in the defense.
James got past her nerves during the first game and brought an in-the-moment mentality, doing her best to best each triplet of batters she faced in every inning.
“Before the game I was really nervous because I checked on how Belmont has been doing this year,” James said. “They have beat some really good teams. I knew I was going to have to do good, but I didn’t expect it at all. However, I am so glad it happened.”
The only run in the first game came from sophomore Sierra Gilmore who hit her second home run on the weekend in the bottom of the fourth.
Game 2 vs. Belmont:
The second game saw Makowsky backup James’ performance, only allowing four hits and racking up six strikeouts.
Belmont looked ready to score in the top of the fourth when a batter was walked and another doubled to center, placing runners on second and third. Makowsky fought her way out when she popped one up and struck out the other.
The Racers scored in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a sacrifice bunt from Gilmore.
Belmont worked themselves into another scoring opportunity in the top of the sixth when a sacrifice bunt moved two runners on to second and third again. However, Makowsky came up big for the Racers once more when she forced another pop up and struck out the next batter to end the inning.
Murray State added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth when junior infielder Lexi Jones singled out to left to score Goetz and a single from freshman infielder Linsey Carroll scored Gilmore.
The Racers are now 5-1 in the OVC this season and look to play again this Tuesday, April 2, against Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois.