Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Mid Continent
Racers Earn Series Sweep of Mid Continent
4/23/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The Murray State softball team earned a series sweep of Mid Continent, including its first shut out, at Racer Field at Murray-Calloway County Park. The Racers (18-25) garnered an 8-0 victory, in six innings, in the opening game of the day and then an 8-4 win in the second game.
Freshman Shelby Kosmecki threw a complete game and recorded MSU's first shutout in the first game of the series. The Somerset, Ky., native retired nine straight batters in the second through fifth innings and allowed just one hit and three walks while recording six strike outs and a 0.00 ERA. Junior Kristen Broadway earned her eighth win of the season in the second game. The Golconda, Ill., native retired the last 11 batters in the game to help secure the victory after the Cougars had scored four runs in the first inning.
The Racers saw a hit from nine of the 11 batters who made an appearance at the plate. Freshman Madi Ratliff hit a team-high five hits, while freshman Megan Belio and sophomore Megan Glosser each added four hits. Ratliff was also one of three players to add three RBIs, as junior Stephanie Mattocks and freshman Starr Gilley also hit in three runs. Junior Lauren Buch came up big for MSU in the second game of the day, hitting a game-winning home run in the third inning.
"As a coach you always want to see players take advantage of situations where they can contribute," said head coach Jay Pyron. "Today we had players make the most of the opportunities presented to them."
Game 1 - Murray State 8, Mid Continent 0
The Racers came out ready to play in the bottom of the first inning, scoring four runs. Belio was the first to score on a wild pitch after hitting a single to center field to start the game. Freshman Gilley, in the game as the designated player, scored the other three runs when she hit a double to right center with the bases loaded.
The Cougars had their best scoring chance in the top of the second, with runners on second and third after a sacrifice bunt. However, the next batter grounded out to Glosser at short stop.
MSU added two more runs in the third inning off three singles and a walk. Belio earned the RBIs when she hit a single just inside the left field line with the bases loaded. Gilley then added another RBI to her totals when she grounded out to first with the bases loaded and just one out. Freshman Ellyn Troup was able to cross the plate after she had earned her way on base with a double down the right field line.
The Racers added the final run they needed to end the game early, with the eight-run rule, in the bottom of the sixth inning. MSU loaded the bases with three-straight singles to start the inning and Freshman Madi Ratliff hit a single just inside the right field line that allowed Troup to score from third.
Game 2 - Murray State 8, Mid Continent 4
The second game it was the Cougars' turn to come out swinging in the first inning, as they took an early 4-1 lead after the first inning of action. Mid Con scored four runs in the top of the first off four hits before the Racers got a chance to bat. Junior Jenna Bradley crossed the plate for MSU in the bottom of the first after reaching on a walk. Bradley was hit in by junior Stephanie Mattocks when she singled to center field.
The score remained in favor of the Cougars until the bottom of the third inning when the Racers took the lead off three hits. Belio and Glosser were both on base and then advanced to third and second, respectively on an error. Mattocks hit in two runs with a single up the middle and Buch hit a game-winning home run over the center field fence to give the Racers a 5-4 lead.
MSU added three more runs in the next two innings off seven hits, but its defensive pressure retired nine-straight Cougar batters to earn the 8-4 win.
The Racers will now travel to Richmond, Ky., to face Eastern Kentucky for a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series, April 24-25 at Gertrude Hood Field. The teams are scheduled for a double header, Saturday, April 24 at noon (CST) and a single game at noon, Sunday, April 25.
Quotes
Head Coach Jay Pyron
"I thought Shelby Kosmecki had a great game in the circle for us today. She was able to thrown the ball where she wanted to and we made some plays behind her"
"We talk a lot with our team about when things are good or things are bad you just keep playing and that allowed us not to panic today."
Junior Kristen Broadway
"I think we have been doing a lot better than we were at the beginning of the season. We always had the ability to get things done, but we are now doing the simple things and that is allowing us to win games."
"At the beginning of the year I was thinking too much about the 'what if's', but now I concentrate on what I can control and don't let the things I can't interfere with my pitching. I just have to keep focused and throw the pitches and hit my spots."
"Everyone has been backing each other up. Someone is always there to pick you up when you are down and that is important for the team. At the start of the season we thought we had to do it ourselves, but now we know that it is a team effort and it allows us to do our jobs and win games."
