Murray, Ky. - The Lady Topper softball team (27-27, 7-15 SBC) split a doubleheader against Murray State Thursday afternoon in non-conference action, dropping game one 7-0, winning game two 8-2.
On the day, the Lady Toppers tallied eight runs off 14 hits with one triple and one home run. WKU tied Murray State in hits 14-14. Sophomore Katrina Metoyer went four-for-six at the plate with a triple to tie WKU's team single-season triple record at 14. Freshman Kelsie Mattox tallied three hits with two runs and four RBI. Freshman Amanda Thomas tallied her seventh home run of the season, sharing the lead in home runs with Mattox.
In game one, the Lady Toppers gave up seven runs off seven hits. WKU was out-hit 7-1 with two errors stranding four runners. Metoyer tallied the Lady Toppers one hit going one-for-two at the plate. Freshman Brittanie Albright opened the game giving up four runs off one hit, her record falls to 3-3. Junior Dana Nathanson pitched the remaining six innings giving up three runs off six hits striking out one.
Murray State opened the game in the bottom of the first with four runs off one hit and two Lady Topper errors. A walk a fielder's choice and hit by pitch loaded the bases. In a run-down from first, two runners came on the play with an error. A home run to center field brought two more runs in. The Racers added a run in the bottom of the second off one hit. A hit by pitch, walk, single and wild pitch brought the one run in.
The Lady Toppers left two runners stranded in the top of the third inning as junior Amanda Walden was walked and Metoyer reached on a fielder's choice. Two more runners were left stranded in the top of the fifth inning as sophomore Shelby Taylor was hit by the pitch and Metoyer hit a single to center field.
Murray State extended the lead with two runs off three hits in the bottom of the fourth. Two singles and a double brought one run in. A sacrifice fly brought the seventh run in for the Racers.
In game two, the Lady Toppers tallied eight runs off 13 hits. WKU out-hit Murray State 13-7, striking out three. Mattox went three-for-three at the plate with two runs and four RBI. Metoyer posted three hits with a triple to tie WKU's team single-season triple record at 14. Thomas tallied her seventh home run of the season. Sophomore Kim Wagner pitched the seven innings allowing two runs off seven hits, striking out three batters. Wagner improves her record to 11-11 on the season.
The Lady Toppers opened the game in the top of the third inning with three runs off three hits and two Murray State errors. Metoyer opened with a triple to right center field. Mattox hit a single to left field bringing Metoyer in for the first run. Freshman Megan Johnson reached on a fielder's choice, Mattox advanced to second. Sophomore Mallorie Sulaski reached on a throwing error, Johnson and Mattox both came in on the play with throwing errors by the Racers.
WKU added one more run in the top of the fourth inning off three hits, leaving three runners stranded. Garcia opened with a single to left field, followed by a single by Metoyer and a single up the middle by Mattox brought Garcia in for the fourth run of the game.
The Lady Toppers extended the lead in the top of the fifth inning with three runs off three hits. Junior Laura Smith reach after being hit by the pitch, senior Brittney Perry singled. Garcia reached on a fielder's choice taking Perry out at second and advancing Smith to third. Garcia stole second before Mattox drilled a double bringing Smith and Garcia in for two runs. A single up the middle by Johnson brought Mattox in for the seventh run of the game.
WKU added one more run in the top of the sixth inning with a solo home run by freshman Amanda Thomas. The home run is her seventh of the season, now sharing the lead in home runs on the team with Mattox.
Murray State brought one run in off two hits and one Lady Topper error in the bottom of the sixth inning to keep the game alive. An error put the first runner on base followed by two singles bringing the one run in. WKU got out of the inning with three Murray State runners on base. The Racers added one more run in the bottom of the seventh off a solo home run to center field.
The Lady Toppers (27-27, 7-15 SBC) will return home for their final home game of the 2011 season to finish their series against Middle Tennessee Saturday at the WKU Softball Complex in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
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