SIUE Blanks Murray State 1-0
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Amanda Lambrecht tossed a one-hit shutout and Chelsea Yankolovich singled home the game winner as SIUE defeated Murray State 1-0- in Ohio Valley Conference softball action at Cougar Field.
Lambrecht retired the last 14 batters she faced for her third shutout of the season. The junior right-hander allowed just one hit as she struck out six and did not walk a Murray State batter.
"I want to congratulate Amanda Lambrecht today. She threw outstanding today," said SIUE Head Coach Sandy Montgomery. "She got the key strikeouts and the key pop-ups."
With the win, SIUE moved into the top six in the OVC standings after Tennessee Tech swept a doubleheader from Eastern Kentucky. The Cougars now stand at 17-21 overall and 9-8 in the OVC.
Lambrecht would outduel Murray State starter-loser Shelby Kosmecki who gave up two hits to the Cougars.
Kosmecki allowed an infield single to Jill Rackers in the first inning and not another hit until the sixth.
Lindsey Barron opened the sixth inning for the Cougars by drawing a walk, the fourth of the game allowed by Kosmecki. Rackers successfully bunted Barron over to second to set up the winning run.
Yankolovich fended off five foul balls before taking a change-up to right field just over the head of Murray State second baseman Christian Cox. Despite Yankolovich being thrown out at second trying to stretch it out for a double, Barron safely scored the eventual game winner.
"She did a great job keeping her hands back. She did exactly what she needed to with it, and that was take it to the opposite field."
With the loss, Murray State fell to 17-14 overall and 10-8 in the OVC.
The Cougars now head to Jacksonville, Ala., to take on the Gamecocks of Jacksonville State for a three-game set. Saturday's doubleheader starts at 1 p.m. Game three of the series is Sunday at 1 p.m.
"They're a tough team. They are hitting the ball well," said Montgomery. "We just need to play well, swing the bats, and play with confidence."
