WEDNESDAY'S SCORES
@Murray State 2, Western Illinois 1
@Murray State 5, Western Illinois 1
@Kennesaw State 4,
Southeast Missouri 3
@Jacksonville State 6, Western Kentucky 0
JACKSONVILLE STATE 6, WESTERN KENTUCKY 0
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - The Jacksonville State softball team shutout a hot Western Kentucky squad on Wednesday afternoon at University Field, behind a pitching gem from junior Whitney Gillespie.
The Gamecocks (16-7) took a non-conference home win for the second straight day as they put an end to WKU's five-game win streak. The Hilltoppers (17-10) managed just three hits and didn't see a baserunner reach scoring position until the sixth inning.
In her shutout performance, Gillespie struck out 10 on her way to silencing the WKU bats. She sat two down to open things in the first, and the only baserunner for the visitors in the second came courtesy one of Gillespie's three walks. After allowing a single to begin the third, the Pelham, Ala., product retired the side via K's.
JSU's offense received a spark in the bottom half of the third as Anna Chisolm's sixth home run of the season brought home Emily Woodruff who doubled one at-bat earlier for a 2-0 advantage. The following two frames remained quier until the Hilltoppers made their strongest threat of the day in the top of the sixth.
WKU's Tommi Stowers walked on four straight balls to begin the inning. She advanced to second on a groundout and the Hilltoppers soon had second and third after a double by Brittany Vaughn. Gillespie responded with another strikeout and the Gamecock defense held for a 4-3 putout to preserve the two-run lead.
The Gamecocks busted out four big runs in the bottom all with two outs after the furst two batters were quickly retired. Stephanie Lewis doubled up the center and moved to third on Alexus Jimmerson's double to left on the next pitch. Hayley Sims entered for a pinch-hit infield single which brought home Lewis. Jimmerson came home on Taylor Rodgers' following double. Rodgers and Sims crossed the plate to make it a 6-0 contest as Woodruff singled to center.
A heads up double play by Chisolm at second made th final frame just a little easier for the Gamecocks as WKU was held in check on final time.
The Gamecocks make the short trip over to Kennesaw, Ga., on Saturday for a double header against Kennesaw State beginning at noon. JSU will be back at University Field the following Saturday, Mar. 25, to open Ohio Valley Conference play against UT Martin.
KENNESAW STATE 4, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 3
KENNESAW, Ga. - Southeast Missouri (14-6) had a season-low three hits in a 4-3 loss to Kennesaw State (20-5) Wednesday afternoon at Bailey Park.
Down, 1-0, after three innings, shortstop Sarah Messex delivered SEMO's biggest blow when she launched a three-run home run to right field in the top of the fourth.
Parker Bandy reached on a two-out error and Madison Harris singled through the right side before Messex hit her second home run of the season, giving the Redhawks a 3-1 lead.
After that, SEMO had just one hit the rest of the way, a leadoff double by Ashley Ellis in the fifth.
KSU pulled to within a run in the bottom of the fourth inning and then took the lead for good when it tacked on two runs in the fifth.
Courtney Sutter tied the game with a solo home run and Beth McCulley knocked in the winning run on a two-out single.
Alley Cutting (10-2) picked up her 10th win of the season. Cutting went the distance, striking out eight and walking one along the way.
Mackenzie Hoelting (0-2) was credited with the loss. Hoelting relieved starter Alexis Estes in the fourth inning and gave up two runs on three hits, while striking out one in two frames.
Harris, Messex and Ellis had SEMO's three hits.
Meanwhile, the Owls finished with 10 hits for the day. Hannah Thomason went a perfect 4-for-4 with one RBI at the top of KSU's lineup.
SEMO lost its first one-run game of the season falling to 3-1 in such contests.
The Redhawks head to the Rock Chalk Challenge in Lawrence, Kansas on Mar. 17-19.
MURRAY STATE 2, WESTERN ILLINOIS 1; MURRAY STATE 5, WESTERN ILLINOIS 1
MURRAY, Ky. - Murray State swept a doubleheader with Western Illinois to extend its winning streak to 11 games. The Racers took game one 2-1 and won the second game by a score of 5-1.
Jessica Twaddle went 3-for-6 with a double, a triple and a home run. She scored twice and dorve in a run in the two game.
Cayla Levins and Erika Downey each had three hits in the twinbill. Downey led the team with a pair of RBI on the day.
Mason Robinson picked up her 14th win in the first game. She went the distance striking out four and not allowing an earned run.
Haven Campbell earned the victory in the second game, pitching 6.0 innings and striking out eight.
Murray State travels to Northridge, Calif., this weekend to play in the Matador Classic