Box Score ARDMORE, Okla. – Facing off in a high-stakes semifinal clash, top-seeded Murray State College Lady Aggies delivered a textbook performance to defeat second-seeded UA Rich Mountain 4-1 and punch their ticket to the Region 2 Southwest Plains Tournament Championship Game this afternoon.

Murray State relied on stellar pitching, timely hitting, and heads-up defense to control the game from start to finish.

Pitching was the story early on as Isabella Hardeman set the tone, shutting down the UA Rich Mountain lineup. She racked up five strikeouts and allowed only one run through 5 1/3 innings of work.

Kaylee Carter provided the offensive spark in the bottom of the second, launching a solo home run to center field to put the Lady Aggies on the board. That momentum carried into the third inning, when Murray State loaded the bases. Cady Ammons capitalized with an RBI single, and Carter struck again with a two-run single to extend the lead to 4-0.

UA Rich Mountain scratched a run across in the fourth inning to cut the deficit to 3. Bradi Harman took over in the sixth inning and slammed the door on the guests from Mena, Arkansas, with two strikeouts and a pair of quick outs to seal the victory for the Lady Aggies, 4-1.

"We struggled to find any rhythm offensively on a consistent basis today," said Coach Mullens. "UA Rich Mountain's Wright and Haney did a great job of keeping us off balance. When we did have opportunities to extend the lead, we did not do a very good job of situational hitting to manufacture more runs. We were able to capitalize on a huge error when given an extra chance. Bella and Bradi as well as our defense did a phenomenal job today. Moving forward we will need to be more consistent on the offensive side and be able to tack on runs as the game moves along."

The Murray State College softball team will now set their sights on winning the Southwest Plains Tournament Championship tomorrow afternoon. Their opponent has yet to be determined as the other remaining teams will play later tonight and early tomorrow for a chance to take on the No. 1 seed. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.


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