The Murray State Racers and the University of Northern Iowa Panthers opened their Missouri Valley Conference softball schedules with a doubleheader split on Friday at Racer Field in Murray, Kentucky.
In the first game, Murray State secured a 10-9 win in extra innings. The Racers started strong, scoring four runs in the first inning, highlighted by singles from Kenley Minor and Parker Holcombe. UNI responded with two runs in the third and took the lead after a six-run fourth inning. The Panthers extended their advantage to 9-4 following a home run by Kate Lappe in the sixth.
Murray State rallied in the bottom of the seventh, with Parker Holcombe starting the comeback with an RBI single. Ailey Schyck tied the game at 9-9 with a two-out single that drove in two runs, sending the contest into extra innings. Karlye Graber retired UNI in order to begin the eighth before Bailey Broemmer delivered an RBI single for the walk-off victory.
Graber earned her third win of the season by pitching 4 1/3 innings in relief, allowing two earned runs and striking out three batters. Offensively, Kynadee Warner collected three hits and scored once, while Holcombe had three RBIs on two hits. Broemmer also recorded two hits including the game-winning RBI.
In game two, UNI claimed an 11-4 victory after taking an early lead with four runs in the first inning and adding another on a home run by Skyler Benesh. The Racers responded with solo home runs from Kenley Minor and Ailey Schyck as well as an RBI single from Allie Waldron but were unable to keep pace as UNI scored six more runs over the final two innings.
Bre Haislip took her third loss of the season after being relieved during the first inning. Graber pitched six innings out of relief for Murray State, recording seven strikeouts but giving up seven earned runs.
Both teams are now 1-1 in conference play. They will meet again Saturday for a rubber match scheduled for 1 p.m., weather permitting.
Fans can follow updates about Murray State Athletics through official social media channels including Twitter (@MSURacers), Instagram (@RacersAthletics), Facebook, and specifically for softball on Twitter and Instagram (@RacersSoftball).
