APSU Sports Information
Clarksville, TN – For the second time in five days, the Austin Peay State University (APSU) softball team will face the team atop the Ohio Valley Conference standings, as it hosts Murray State, 4:00pm, Tuesday, April 9th at Cheryl Holt Field at Cathi Maynard Park, in not only a key OVC showdown but a Heritage Bank Battle of the Border doubleheader.
The Govs (21-15, 6-2 OVC) come into this matchup having won seven of their last nine games, including a split in a road doubleheader at then OVC-leading Jacksonville State last Friday, winning Game 1 in come-from-behind fashion, 3-1, before falling in the nightcap, 3-0.
Murray State (17-18, 7-1 OVC) also comes into Tuesday’s contests playing well, with the Racers having won five of their last six games, including two home shutout victories Saturday versus Tennessee Tech.
After 36 games this season, the Govs offense is led by senior Carly Mattson, who is hitting at a .360 clip, which includes nine doubles, nine home runs and 25 RBIs.
Mattson is followed by junior Kelsey Gross (.343, 2 HR, 16 RBI) senior Kacy Acree (336, 5 HR, 21 RBI) and senior Danielle Liermann (.328, 13 HR, 28 RBI).
In the circle, senior Morgan Rackel has been the workhorse of the Govs staff posting a 15-5 overall record – including winning her last eight decisions — with a 2.17 ERA in 125.2 innings of work, while striking out an OVC-high 145 batters.
Two other Govs have picked up three wins each this year, with Gross posting a 3-1 record, two saves, a 1.78 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 39.1 innings pitched, while Kelly Mardones is 3-9, with a 4.22 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 73 innings pitched.
Murray State is led offensively by a pair of .300+ hitters in Lillie Goetz (.330, 12 2B, 3 HR, 27 RBI) and Brenna Finck (.327, 1 HR, 8 RBI).
In the circle, Hannah James tops the Racer pitching staff with a 9-8 record, which includes a 2.49 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 112.1 innings pitched.
APSU Governors Hit and Run
Austin Peay enters the matchup having won its last three meeting with the Racers.
Carly Mattson enters the matchup with a nine-game hit streak.
Morgan Rackel has reached base in each of the Govs last 13 games, the ninth longest such streak by an APSU player since the 2000 season.
A win by APSU will move its current senior class alone into third-place for most wins by a senior class in program history (87).
Morgan Rackel needs one strikeout to reach 350 in her career.
