The Lipscomb softball team used strong pitching and a four run first inning to take the 6-0 win over Murray State on Wednesday at Draper Diamond.
In her first career start McCarley Thomas allowed just four hits on her way to a complete game shutout.
The junior pitched four no-hit innings to start the game before surrendering her first hit to the first batter of the fifth inning.
“McCarley, certainly, great performance out of her,” Lipscomb head coach Kristin Ryman said. “It was exactly what we needed in a midweek to get a big performance out of someone who maybe hasn’t had as much time. Really, really proud of what she did tonight.”
Despite only having two strikeouts, Ryman said she liked the way her pitcher was able to gets outs and stay composed on the mound.
“She only had two strikeouts but was still extremely effective,” Ryman said. “When you don’t have many strikeouts but are still able to be effective. She’s worked so hard to get to this point.”
The top of the order boosted Lipscomb’s offense as their first two hitters, Brittany Elmore and Destinee Brewer, reached base a combined six times, scoring three runs.
Lipscomb (23-22, 7-8) jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning as they sent 10 batters to the plate.
With a big lead after the first inning, Thomas was able to pitch with confidence the rest of the night.
“Any pitcher, whether it’s their first start or not, that’s going to be a huge relief to you,” Ryman said. “For her especially, I think any nerves she did have were probably calmed at that point.”
Lipscomb added on to the lead in the second inning, as freshman Brewer was able to draw a leadoff walk before stealing second to put herself in scoring position. Brewer came home two batters later when Baylee Williams singled up the middle to push the score to 5-0.
After Caitlin Plocheck doubled to begin the fifth inning, freshman Khayla Green knocked in her tenth RBI of the season with her first career triple to give the Lady Bisons the 6-0 lead.
Ryman said she liked the way her team came out ready to play and went after Murray State.
“I like overall what we did tonight,” Ryman said. “We attacked, we attacked early. Everything kind of seemed to click tonight. Like we’ve said all season, when we do that’s the kind of team that we have. I think it’s just consistently finding ways to do that.”
The Lady Bisons head to Knoxville this weekend for the Tennessee Invitational, where they have games against Radford, No. 9 Oklahoma and a rematch against No. 12 Tennessee.
Photo courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics