By: Ted McCoart, Morehead State Athletic Media Relations | Posted: May 10, 2018 | Source: MSU Eagles
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OXFORD, Ala. – The eighth-seeded Morehead State Softball team knocked off fourth-seeded Southeast Missouri 4-1 to avoid elimination and advance in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship Tournament on Thursday evening at Choccolocco Park.
The win improved the Eagles to 28-22 overall for the season, while SEMO season ends with a mark of 33-20. The 28 victories are the most for the program since 2009.
After four scoreless innings, the Eagles broke the tie in the bottom of the fifth by taking advantage of three Redhawks’ errors. Senior Kylie Holton drove home junior Allison Rager after the SEMO third baseman misplayed a ground ball by Holton, and then senior Taylor Wheeler produced another run in the next at-bat scoring junior Aubrey Bennett, who got on via error, from third on a groundout RBI to make it 2-0.
Morehead State extended its lead to 4-0 the very next inning when Rager blasted a two-run homer over the left-field fence, scoring herself and pinch runner Abigail Rhodes, who came on after senior Robyn Leighton singled with one out.
“It was a really job by Allison of adjusting to the new pitcher and hitting a home run with two strikes.” Commented head coach David Williams.
The Redhawks managed to produce one run in the game’s final frame and had the tying run at the plate with two outs but senior ace Chelsea McManaway managed to get a fly out to center field to end the game.
“Our players really stepped up and did a really good job of executing at the right time,” said Williams. “Another solid pitching performance out of McManaway and defense behind her (McManaway) as well and the offense stepped up at the right moments to get runners in scoring position.”
McManaway (17-11), who was named First-Team All-OVC, gave up just four hits while striking out nine and conceding four walks in the complete-game victory. The Redhawk’s Haley Thogmartin (12-7) was charged with the loss after giving up three hits and three runs, one earned, and striking out two in her start. Freshman Rachel Rook also saw action, throwing two-thirds of an inning and also giving up the home run to Rager.
Morehead State advances to round two of the elimination bracket and will face the two seed Austin Peay at 1:30 p.m. ET. Should the Eagles survive and advance against the Governors they will play again at 6:30 p.m. against the winner of Eastern Illinois and SIU Edwardsville. The games will be streamed live on the OVC Digital Network.
