SOFTBALL Murphy's no-hitter guides YSU

By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CANFIELD -- Senior Kelly Murphy threw her second career no-hitter and the Youngstown State softball team completed a three-game sweep of Wright State Sunday afternoon at McCune Park.
The Penguins defeated the Raiders 8-0 in a five-inning game, which Murphy missed by one batter of pitching a perfect game.
The North Olmsted native retired the first 12 batters she faced, but then hit Wright State's Stephanie Salas with a pitch to open the fifth inning before striking out the side for the second time in three innings.
"I wasn't trying to hit her," said Murphy. "She was crowding the plate a little and I threw inside and she just never moved."
Murphy's (10-7) other no-hit effort came last season in the opening game of the Horizon League tournament when she blanked Detroit 8-0.
Last season's Horizon League pitcher of the year, Murphy struck out eight, including seven of the last nine batters she faced.
Getting support
She got plenty of offensive support, including a six-run rally in the third inning, when the Penguins sent 13 batters to the plate and were aided by six walks.
"Actually I don't like pitching with a big lead," Murphy said. "I tend to relax out there and that's why I like to pitch in close games. But Coach [Christy Cameron] talked to me between innings and I forced myself to concentrate a lot more out there."
Cameron was pleased to see her team jump out to the early lead.
"I think that we were a little disappointed with our play Saturday, so they came out with something to prove today," Cameron said.
YSU (21-12, 5-2 Horizon League) swept Wright State, 1-0, and 5-1, Saturday.
Taking control
The Penguins took the lead Sunday in the second inning. With two outs, sophomore Lacy Bronson and senior Amber Smith hit back-to-back singles, then junior Erin Moore followed with an RBI double.
In the third, Wright State (12-28, 2-9) pitcher Amanda Cody walked sophomore Tiffany Patteson to open the inning and then junior Char Kudlock sacrificed her to second.
Cody then walked the next three batters, forcing in a run, before she was relieved by Alison Davis.
But Davis walked Bronson, forcing in another run. After Smith popped out, Moore and senior Jenn Hartman both singled, with two runs scoring on Hartman's hit.
Patteson, up for the second time, singled in another run and then Cody came back into pitch, walking in another run.
The Penguins brought a short end to the contest in the bottom of the fifth as Patteson walked and went to second when Kudlock reached on an error. After Lacey Reichert walked to load the bases, senior Amanda Berry singled to center field.
Moore had three more hits and drove in two runs, as did Hartman.