Racers Trek to Jacksonville for Pivotal OVC Battle

Friday, April 19

Jacksonville, Ala.

1 P.M.

Murray State

Jacksonville State

Photo by: Dan Hasko

4/18/2019 8:21:00 PM | Softball

Game Notes (PDF)Watch Live Live Stats

Dates: April 19^th, 2019
Site (Venue): Jacksonville, Ala. (University Field)
Live Video: https://es.pn/2Glka2J
Live Stats: https://bit.ly/2IHM23Q
MSU Record (Streak): 21-20, 11-3 OVC (L1)
Racers All-Time vs. JSU: 11-15
JSU Record (Streak): 28-12, 12-4 OVC (W3)
MSU Next Games: April 23^rd vs. North Alabama
MSU Next Home: Same

Murray State softball will travel to Jacksonville, Alabama to take on Jacksonville State in an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader on Friday afternoon. While the Racers still hold the top spot in the conference standings, Friday's contests will feature two of the OVC's best as JSU's 12-4 conference record is good for second place entering this weekend's highly-anticipated matchup. The pair of games will also mark an end to Murray State's eight-game road trip as they will return to Racer Field on Tuesday for a non-conference clash with North Alabama.

Last Time Out:
The Racers took three out of four games in their two latest doubleheaders, sweeping UT Martin on Friday before splitting with SEMO on Monday. The Racers put up 4.25 runs per contest, while belting five home runs over those last four outings.

Individually, Lexi Jones has been on a tear at the plate, hitting .455 with two round-trippers in the last four games, while Logan Braundmeier also chipped in a .333 average in those competitions. Braundmeier also collected a pair of extra-base hits, including a grand slam to help Murray State seal their 8-4 victory in game one against SEMO on Monday.

In the circle, the Racers have posted a 2.57 K/BB ratio through their last four, and have gotten the job done in the big moments of recent games. Taylor Makowsky has held opposing hitters to just a .206 average over her last two starts, while earning another win with her complete game shutout against UT Martin.
Freshman Hannah James also continued to shine for Murray State, as she notched a pair of victories in her last two starts. She fanned nine batters and issued just three walks over her last 11 innings of work.

Entering Friday:
The Racers enter Friday's doubleheader batting .267 with 25 home runs in 2019. Averaging 4.15 runs per contest on the season, the Racers have also been crafty on the base paths as they have swiped 40 bags thus far.

The Racers have been fueled by Lillie Goetz, who leads the Racers with a .328 average, 32 RBI, and 17 extra-base hits on the year. Brenna FInck is also working on a .305 average with a team-high nine stolen bases, while Lexi Jones has crushed seven home runs for Murray State on the year.

Racer pitchers have posted a 1.97 K/BB ratio on the year, while carrying a 3.61 ERA through 41 games entering Friday's doubleheader. Taylor Makowsky has held opponents to just a .233 average at the plate, while turning in a 1.92 ERA to accompany her 7-3 record on the year. She has also tossed five complete games for Murray State this season.

Freshman Hannah James has collected a team-high eleven wins in the circle for the Racers, while striking out 95 batters in her 126.1 innings in 2019. She carries a 2.66 ERA with 11 complete game performances on the year.

Scouting Jacksonville State:
The Gamecocks enter Friday's doubleheader on a three-game winning streak after sweeping Tennessee State in their last time out. Batting .289 on the year, JSU is averaging 6.03 runs per contest, which ranks 26^th in the nation. They have also valued the home run ball, as they rank 18^th in the country in home runs per game. Individually, Taylor Beshears leads the Gamecocks with a .415 average, with 13 home runs and 35 RBI for her side in 2019.

In the circle, JSU has an ERA of 3.58, while holding opponents to a .242 average at the dish this season. Faith Sims has thrived while carrying the bulk of the workload for Jacksonville State, as she enters with a 1.92 ERA and a 3.09 K//BB ratio on the year. She has posted a 17-4 record, while opposing hitters have managed just a .175 average at the plate against her this season.

All-Time Series:
Murray State and Jacksonville State have met 26 times in their history, with the Gamecocks leading the all-time series with a record of 15-11. The Racers look to snap their seven-game skid against JSU, after dropping both games in last year's doubleheader at Racer Field in Murray, Kentucky.

Weather Forecast:
The forecast is calling for a high of 55 degrees with winds blowing at around 10 miles per hour in Jacksonville, Alabama. The afternoon could also bring some light precipitation around the time of the first pitch. Chance of rain: 80%