Southeast Missouri (22-26, 13-13 OVC) at Murray State (26-16, 14-10)

Game Information
Dates: Saturday-Sunday, April 28-29, 2012
First Pitch: Saturday: 1 p.m., CT (DH); Sunday: 1 p.m.
Location: Murray, Ky.
Site: Racer Field
Head Coaches: Lana Richmond (855-639-2 overall, 276-180 OVC, 30th season); Jay Pyron (72-73, Third season)


Media Coverage
 
Live Stats: GoRacers.com
Complete Game Notes

Redhawk Softball Notebook

Scouting the Racers
Murray State is currently on a six-game winning streak after grabbing a series win over Austin Peay and posting doubleheader sweeps against Bethel (Apr. 24) and Samford (Apr. 25). The Racers are fourth in the conference standings. Megan Glosser leads Murray State with a .381 batting avg., 39 runs scored, 51 hits and six doubles. Glosser has struck out only five times this season. As a team, the Racers own a 2.43 ERA and are holding opponents to a .269 batting average. Shelby Kosmecki is 10-9 with a 2.29 ERA in 24 appearances. Kosmecki has 98 strikeouts on the year, as well.

Coaching Milestone 
Lana Richmond recorded her 850th career victory as Southeast's head coach on Apr. 14. Richmond, who has coached in a total of 1,496 games, holds an overall record of 855-639-2. She has also won 276 Ohio Valley Conference games, leading the Redhawks to OVC Tournament titles in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999, and OVC regular-season crowns in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999. Richmond currently ranks 14th in victories among all NCAA Division I head softball coaches.

Close Calls
Twelve of Southeast's 13 conference losses have been by no more than two runs. This weekend's series at Murray State marks the end of conference play for the Redhawks. Southeast will be idle during the final week of the conference season (May 5-6).

Marble Stays Strong in the Circle
Sophomore Alora Marble continues to lead Southeast's pitching staff this season. Marble is 13-12 with a team-best 2.47 ERA in 31 appearances and 25 starts. She leads the Redhawks in complete games (20), strikeouts (88) and innings pitched (178.2). Last week, Marble recorded a 1.05 ERA and went 2-1 with three complete games. She pitched a complete game shutout against Tennessee State on Saturday. Marble gave up only three runs, struck out 12 and held opposing hitters to a .192 batting average.
 
RBI Machines
Senior shortstop Renee Kertz, who is second on Southeast's all-time career leaders in runs batted in (126), leads the team with 39 RBI this season. Kertz needs only seven more RBI to break the record. Taylor Cowan and Lindsey Patterson follow close behind with 31 and 24 RBI, respectively. The three combine for 94 of Southeast's 184 total RBI this season.
 
Up Next
Southeast ends its six-game road trip at Saint Louis on May 1. The Redhawks and Billikens will play a doubleheader at 3 p.m., CT. Southeast then closes out its 2012 regular-season with a home doubleheader against Belmont on May 2.