UE will open home schedule on Saturday
MURRAY, Ky. – In one final tune-up before Missouri Valley Conference play begins on Saturday, the University of Evansville softball team split a doubleheader on Thursday at Murray State. The Purple Aces fell by a 3-1 final in the first game before rebounding for a 5-4 win in the second.
“We finally were able to make some good adjustments offensively to get some runs on the board,†Aces head coach Mat Mundell said. “Our pitching staff did a tremendous job. We are excited to take this momentum into conference play.â€
Game one was a pitcher’s duel as the game was scoreless over the first four innings. Amanda Blankenship did the work in the first three innings, striking out four while not allowing a hit. Murray State was able to break through with three runs in the bottom of the fifth and that would be enough for the win. Evansville came back with a run in the top of the sixth as Chandra Parr hit a solo shot, but MSU hung on for the 3-1 win.
The second game looked like it would be another duel in the circle as the game was scoreless over the first three frames. That changed in the top of the fourth in a big way as the Aces saw five runs cross the plate.
Danielle Freeman got it started with a single to right field. She moved to second as Hayli Scott reached on an error to bring Susan Norris to the plate. Norris delivered as he single brought Freeman home. Samantha Fleming grounded out to third to plate the second run of the inning before the final three score with some two-out magic.
With the bases loaded, Chandra Parr recorded yet another big hit. A bases-clearing triple by Parr saw the Aces reel off five runs to take a 5-0 advantage. Murray State got on the board with an unearned run in the bottom of the fourth. Making the start once again, Blankenship gave the Aces four strong innings with that unearned run being the only blemish.
The Racers got close in the bottom of the 5th with three runs off of Emily Lockhart. That brought Morgan Florey into the game as she pitched the final 2 1/3 innings to seal Evansville’s 11th victory of the season. Scott and Freeman each notched a pair of hits in the game while Parr led the way with three RBIs. Blankenship was credited with the win, her third of the season.
On Saturday, the Purple Aces will play at home for the first time this season, opening conference play on Saturday with a 12 p.m. doubleheader against Drake.
