Racers Takes Rubber Match over Loyola Chicago

Friday, March 11

Racer Field

12 p.m.

Murray State

12-8

Loyola Chicago

6-11

Loyola Chicago

Murray State

Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics

3/11/2022 4:00:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

MSU Softball defeated Loyola Chicago 3-2 to take the rubber match game

Murray State softball (12-8) took the rubber match game over the Loyola Chicago Ramblers (6-11), 3-2, on a cold and windy Friday afternoon in Murray, Kentucky on day two of the Racer Classic.

Loyola Chicago outhit the Racers 4-3 but Murray State used timely hitting and smart base running to take the win.

Hannah James got the ball in the circle for the Racers after making two appearances in yesterday's doubleheader and cruised through the first four innings of the game only allowing two base runners.

The Racers gave James early run support as Gracie Osbron rocketed a ball over the right fielder's head for an easy triple. Next batter Lindsey Carroll hit a sacrifice fly to right to score Osbron as the Racers went up 1-0 in the second.

In the fourth, with the bases loaded and two outs, pinch hitter Erin Lackey drew a walk for her first collegiate RBI, putting Murray State up two.

The Ramblers tied the game in the top of the fifth using a three singles and an error to plate two runs. Jenna Veber came on in relief and ended the Rambler's threat getting three straight outs.

Murray State came right back in the bottom half of the inning. With two outs and runners on the corners, Sierra Gilmore make a break to steal second but caught herself in a rundown long enough for Logan Braundmeier to race home and give the Racers the 3-2 lead.

The one-run cushion proved plenty for Veber as she sat the Ramblers down in order the next two innings to earn her seventh win of the season. Veber faced the minimum nine batters over her three innings of work with one strike out.

The Racers will face St. Thomas and Western Illinois for day three of the Racer Classic which continues on Sunday (March 13). First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.