Story by Adam Redfern
Staff writer
aredfern@murraystate.edu
Murray State softball split its series against SEMO but remain on top of the OVC with help from its offensive play against the Redhawks.
Game one:
In the first game, the Racers had one of its better offensive outings this season tallying eight runs.
The first run of the game came from an error in the top of the first from the Redhawks that allowed sophomore outfielder Jensen Striegel to reach home.
SEMO answered quickly in the bottom frame with a two-run home run from junior outfielder Rachel Anderson to make the game 2-1.
Senior infielder Lillie Goetz hit a home run of her own to tie the game in the top of the third. Sophomore infielder Sierra Gilmore added another run in the top of the fifth with an RBI single, giving the Racers a 3-2 lead.
Senior infielder Parker Bandy tied the game at 3-3 when she hit a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth.
The Racers were on fire late in the game, scoring five runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Junior infielder Lexi Jones added one in the top of the sixth with a RBI single, and sophomore Logan Braundmeier hit a grand slam in the top of the seventh to give the Racers an 8-3 lead.
SEMO tacked on another run in the bottom of the seventh to cap the game at 8-4.
Game two:
The second game saw a Redhawk offensive display with a nine-run game.
SEMO started the scoring early with three runs in the bottom of the first, an RBI single from junior infielder Ashley Ellis and a two-run homer from sophomore infielder Kaylee Anderson.
A barrage of home runs in the bottom of the third and fourth extended the SEMO run to 7-0. It started with a solo bomb from junior outfielder Claudia Gallo, followed by another two-run homer from Ellis and a final solo shot from Bandy.
The Racers’ only run came from a solo home run from Jones in the top of the fifth.
The final two runs came from a single out to right to end the game at 9-1.
The Racers will back in action Friday, April 19, in Jacksonville, Alabama, against Jacksonville State.