Box Score ARDMORE, Okla – The Murray State College softball team showed why they rule Region 2 as they earned another run-rule victory to claim the Region 2 Southwest Plains Tournament Championship, 8-0, over UA Rich Mountain on Saturday afternoon.

With the victory, the Lady Aggies punched their ticket for a fifth straight trip to the NJCAA Division 2 World Series. 

Murray State opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning. Kaylee Carter walked to lead things off, and a perfectly executed bunt by Adison Lee moved her into scoring position. Kennedy Lord then singled to center, putting runners on the corners. A throwing error by the UA Rich Mountain catcher allowed Carter to score from third, giving the Lady Aggies a 1-0 lead.

The Aggies capitalized on the momentum. After loading the bases on walks, Brylee Fanning delivered a two-RBI single to left, extending the lead to 3–0. Haili Igou added another hit, and a sacrifice fly from Bradi Harman plated Ryann Phillips, capping a four-run inning.

In the fourth, Murray State continued to apply pressure. After a leadoff single from Phillips, Harman roped an inside-the-park home run to center field, scoring Phillips. Back-to-back doubles from Cady Ammons and Carter pushed the lead to 7–0. Lee's RBI double later in the inning made it 8–0, effectively sealing the championship as UA Rich Mountain struggled to respond.

The Lady Aggies slammed the door shut as Bradi Harman retired the only three batters she faced, including a pair of strikeouts. Isabella Hardeman was terrific for Murray State College as she threw four scoreless innings, including three strikeouts, en route to an 8-0 victory.

"Winning is hard," said Coach Mullens. "This team went 55-1 in the regular season and won 4 straight to close out region play in the playoffs. I am very proud of their resiliency and their willingness to continue to push each other every day in practice. It is true testament of their dedication to one another. As far as today goes, I thought the 2nd inning was the turning point when we finally started to control the strike zone better and let the game come to us. Early on we struggled by going out of the strike zone and getting ourselves out. The 2nd inning started a string of innings to where we really honed in data sequencing and looking for certain pitches on certain counts. Once again, pitching and defense was stellar. I am really proud of the consistency of those aspects of the game. We are looking forward to a couple of off days and to get back to the grind this coming Tuesday in preparation for the World Series in Oxford, Alabama."

The Lady Aggies will carry their 59-1 record and 39-game win streak into the NJCAA Division 2 World Series that begins on Monday, May 19. 


Sports Information Director: Justin Wagner | jgwagner@mscok.edu
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