Baileigh Burtis in the dugout during the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida

Photo by: Matthew Richards

Softball Splits Day Two Of Alex Wilcox Memorial Tournament

Feb 14 | Softball

Box Score - Game 1 - Murray State Box Score - Game 2 - Mississippi State

Scarlet Knights Pick Up Win Over Murray State & Tie No. 19 Mississippi State Twice Before Falling To Bulldogs

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Rutgers softball split day two of the Alex Wilcox Memorial Tournament on Saturday.

The Scarlet Knights topped Murray State, 8-5, and came back to tie No. 19 Mississippi State twice before ultimately falling to the host Bulldogs.

RU moved to 5-4 on the season.

Rutgers 8, Murray State 5

Softball victory graphic over Murray State featuring Baileigh Burtis

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

Sophomore Baileigh Burtis was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI doubles.
Classmates Bailey Briggs and Hailey Stripling also punched in a pair of RBIs.
Sophomore Jayla Fuller collected a double and added two runs.
Junior Brooke Shifflett earned her first Scarlet Knight victory, going 4.1 innings in the start with seven strikeouts. Sophomore Kelsey Hoekstra picked up the save, tossing the final two innings and sending down one Racer on strikes.

THE RUNDOWN

Rutgers came up big in its first at-bat with four runs. The Scarlet Knights led off with back-to-back walks, setting up Baileigh Burtis for an RBI double to center to start off. The bases were loaded for Sam Rohwer three batters later. While it looked like the Racers would get the out at home, a dropped ball at the plate allowed not one, but two runs to score with Hailey Stripling and Burtis plating. A fielder's choice by Bailey Briggs followed, stopping Rohwer at second base, but allowed Siera Hoekstra the opportunity to go home for the 4-0 Rutgers advantage.
Murray State, however, came back with four runs on three hits and two errors in the second. With runners on the corners, a miscue on the steal at second gave the Racers its first run and an RBI single up the middle from Kenley Minor cut Murray State's deficit in half. A single and sac bunt put Racers on second and third, leading to an RBI ground out from Reagan Towns and an RBI base hit by Katy Huels to knot the score at 4-4.
The Scarlet Knights regained the lead in the bottom of the third, scoring two runs off two Racer errors. Addie Osborne reached on an error on the throw to first and pinch hitter Kelsey Hoekstra connected for a single to left, but on the bobble, Osborne scored. Hoekstra went on to steal third, but in trying to stop the steal, another error pushed the Scarlet Knight across for RU to take the 6-2 edge.
RU added some insurance with a pair runs in the fifth. Both Rachel Millan and Jayla Fuller went to left center on a single and a double, respectively. Both would go on to score on a Hailey Stripling sac fly to left and Burtis' second double of the day.
The Racers loaded the bases in the top of the fifth with one out and Bailey Broem was able to get a run in off a fielder's choice. RU's Kelsey Hoekstra, however, caught the Racers looking on a full count to retire the side and earn the eventual save.

No. 19 Mississippi State 7, Rutgers 2

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

Sophomore Kelsey Hoestra belted her first home run of the season and got the start against the Bulldogs. She tossed. 2.1 innings, giving up one earned run and striking out three and finished 2-for-3 at the plate.
Sophomore Bailey Burtis went 2-for-3 and classmate Addie Osborne added a run.

THE RUNDOWN

Mississippi State got onto the scoreboard thanks to a trio of hits. Kinley Keller singled to left to drive in Des Rivera for the early 1-0 edge.
Rutgers tied up the game at 1-1 in the top half of the third. The Scarlet Knights had runners on the corners as Addie Osborne hit the ball into center field to score Hailey Stripling.
A trio of hits and a pair of errors in the bottom of the third led to the Bulldogs taking back the lead. A dropped foul ball kept Kiarra Sells' at-bat alive and would reach on a single up the middle. Anna Carder followed with a single down the left field line with a bobble on the play, resulting in Sells scoring and giving the hosts the 2-1 edge.
Rutgers struck back on the first pitch of the fourth. Kelsey Hoesktra swung over the center field wall for her first home run of the season and knotted the score up at 2-2.
The Bulldogs came back in the sixth with five runs on a pair of home runs. Abby Richardson hit the scoreboard for a two-run home run and Kalani Sells went deep to left center for a three-run blast.

UP NEXT

The Rutgers softball team closes out The Snowman: Alex Wilcox Memorial Tournament on Sunday, meeting up with Murray State at 10 a.m. (ET). Live stats are available on Statbroadcast.

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