Murray State
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Bethel
Racers Sweep Series with Bethel at Racer Field
4/9/2010 2:00:00 AM | Softball
The Murray State softball team earned its first series sweep by earning 6-2 and 6-1 victories over Bethel College at Racer Field at Murray-Calloway County Park. The wins moved the Racers to 12-19 overall in their first season of NCAA competition.
MSU was led by freshmen Megan Belio and Ellyn Troup and sophomore Megan Glosser. Belio tallied four hits on the day, while Troup and Glosser added three each.
The Racers saw strong pitching from three members of their pitching staff. Junior Kristen Broadway earned the start and win in the opening game, recording four strike outs. Sophomore Chelsey Sullivan was the starter and winner in game two. Freshman Shelby Kosmecki came in for relief in both games and earned her first and second career saves. She pitched one inning in the opening game, garnering one strike out and then went 1.2 innings in game two and struck out four of the last six batters.
Game 1 - Murray State 6, Bethel 2
The Racers scored the first two runs of the game in the bottom of the first inning. Sophomore Megan Glosser started the MSU offense off with a single to third base and then stole second and third to put herself in scoring position. Junior Jenna Bradley was walked and stole second while freshman Ellyn Troup was at the plate. Troup hit a ball at the short stop that was thrown to first to get her out, but also allowed Glosser to score. Bradley scored at the next at bat when freshman Kaitlyn England reached on an error.
The score remained 2-0 in favor of the Racer until the bottom of the third when MSU added three more runs to its total. Glosser reached on another single to third and again stole second and advanced to third on a fielder's choice hit by Troup. England then hit a single to the short stop the allowed Glosser to score. The bases were then loaded when freshman Madi Ratliff walked. That set up freshman Stephanie Edwards for two RBIs when she hit a single to center field.
The Racers added a sixth run in the next inning. Freshman Megan Belio was walked and then advanced to second on a fielder choice to the short stop that allowed both base runners to reach safely. Belio then stole third and went home when the throw from the catcher went errant.
The Lady Wildcats (15-16) tallied two runs in the top of the sixth, but it was not enough to erase the lead that the Racers had created.
Game 2 - Murray State 6, Bethel 1
The Racers were the first team to score in the night cap of the double header when they garnered a run in the bottom of the first inning. Sophomore Megan Glosser and junior Jenna Bradley both walked and then advanced to third and second on a pass ball and stolen base. That put Glosser in scoring position for freshman Ellyn Troup who hit a sacrifice fly to left field.
The Racers then had a five-run fourth inning to build their lead to 6-0. MSU batted around in the inning and recorded seven hits. Junior Lauren Buch started the inning off by singling to left center. Buch scored when freshman Stephanie Mattocks hit a deep single to center field. Freshman Megan Belio then hit a triple down the left field line that allowed freshman Stephanie Edwards to score. Glosser then drew a walk to put two runners on for Bradley who scored both runners on a deep single to center field. Bradley was the final run to cross the plate when Troup single up the middle.
Bethel added a run to the scoreboard in the top of the sixth inning to cut the led to 6-1. MSU was in trouble with the bases loaded, but strong pitching and defense held the Lady Wildcats to just one run in the inning.
" Shelby Kosmecki was brought in the finish out the game in a tough spot with the base loaded," said head coach Jay Pyron. "But she showed a lot of poise and composure and got us out of the jam."
The Racers will stay at home for a weekend Ohio Valley Conference series against Austin Peay. The Lady Govs head to Murray for an April 10-11 series, with a double header scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., Saturday, and a single game slated for Sunday at 1 p.m.
Quotes
Head Coach Jay Pyron
"I was really pleased with Megan Glosser and Megan Belio toady. I thought they did a really good job of getting on base."
" Chelsey Sullivan threw are really strong game in the second game."
"It is great to see Shelby Kosmecki continue to improve and gain more confidence."
"All three of our pitchers did a good job today keeping us in a position to win the games."
