The Morehead State softball team played its final games before Ohio Valley Conference action begins, dropping two decisions to Wright State Tuesday afternoon at University Field.
Game one of the split bill saw the Eagles fall behind 4-0 in the first inning, a deficit from which they wouldn't be able to recover, falling 7-2 in the first of two contests. Game two Eagles overcame their opening frame woes, jumping out to a 4-2 lead after one inning in before succumbing to an 8-5 setback.
Wright State improves to 10-12 overall while Morehead State falls to 2-17.
WRIGHT STATE 7, MOREHEAD STATE 2
The Eagles were met with stiff resistance from opening pitch as four-of-the-first five Raider batters found their way around the base path back home. Additionally, MSU also faced one of the best pitching performances they've encountered this year, as Wright State's Makenna Durieux pitched six innings, only allowing four hits and two runs (one earned).
The home squad answered back when freshman Sarah Hallock entered to pinch run and scored on a single to left-center field by junior infielder Lindsay Anderson, trimming the Raiders lead to 4-1.
In the top of the third, Morehead State was answered back by a 2-RBI single by WSU infielder Lauren Deitrick, extending their lead to 6-1.
The next five frames went by uneventfully, before Eagles sophomore Alexis Strother went yard to straightaway center field for a solo home run. The homer was Strother's third of her career and third in her last five games.
The Raiders would tally one more run in the closing period before shutting the door on an attempted comeback.
In the circle, Morehead State's Sarah King (0-4) was hung with the loss, Durieux (2-4) earned the win
WRIGHT STATE 8, MOREHEAD STATE 5
Morehead State found its groove offensively, but ultimately sputtered late, being held scoreless the final four innings on the back half of the doubleheader.
WSU made the first mark, scoring two on a single to center field by Brianna Hutchinson. The Eagles responded well, as senior Aubrey Bennett scored on a sacrifice groundout to short by Strother.
Next, a fielding error by the Raiders brought in freshman Peyton Slater on a stolen base attempt by junior Helyna Bissell. She would later score on a double to left-center by fellow third-year star Cassie Griffin. The Roopville, Ga. native scored two batters later, as freshman Princess Valencia knocked a line drive to the pitcher, but another timely error brought in a run, putting Morehead State ahead, 4-2.
The Eagles offensive efforts were matched by Raiders, placing a four-spot of their own in the top half of the second. A pair of singles, a double, and an MSU fielding error would lead to a 6-4 after two.
Hallock scored once more on the day in pinch-run duty off of a single by senior Cheyenne Meyer, shrinking the WSU lead to 6-5 in the third inning.
Wright State put two insurance runs across in the sixth and managed to stifle Morehead State over the final four frames.
Freshman Lakyn Largent (0-10) suffered the defeat while the Raiders' right-hander Olivia Otani (5-6) came away with the victory
NEXT UP
The Eagles will continue their home stand this weekend, as MSU takes on Jacksonville State on Friday. First pitch for game one of the double-header will be at noon.
