TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State softball fell to Murray State, 3-0, on Saturday afternoon at Price Field to even the weekend series at a game apiece.
 
Indiana State (23-22, 11-8 MVC) started Lauren Sackett who threw a complete game while striking out eight hitters in the loss. Sackett allowed just two hits while walking four batters. The Racers (29-16, 13-6 MVC) started Hannah James for the second consecutive game and James went the distance, shutting out ISU, walking one and striking out three while allowing eight hits.
 
The series finale will begin at noon ET on Sunday at Price Field with the contest being streamed live on ESPN+.
 
The Action
Another low-scoring affair between the Sycamores and Racers, Murray State jumped out to an early lead, scoring a pair of runs on a two-out double by Taylor Jackson in the bottom of the first. Lauren Sackett got her second strikeout of the inning to retire the side. A Danielle Henning single would be the only action for the Sycamores at the plate in the opening frame.
 
Sackett struck out two more hitters in a 1-2-3 top of the second, bringing the Sycamores to the plate where the first two batters would reach safely. Kennedy Shade singled followed by a Cassie Thomerson walk but Racers starter Hannah James was able to escape the jam and get the next three Indiana State hitters out.
 
In the top of the third, Lauren Sackett struck out two more, running her total to six for the game through three innings. Danielle Henning recorded her second hit of the game in the bottom half but that would be all for Indiana State.
 
After Sackett set down Murray State in order in the fourth, the Sycamores looked to be in business in the bottom half but the Racers were able to turn a double play to get out of the inning. Following a Cassie Thomerson single, TeAnn Bringle singled to right center but some confusion on the basepaths led to the end of the frame as Bringle was thrown out at second and Thomerson was tagged out at home.
 
Murray State added to their lead in the fifth, going up 3-0 on a RBI single to right field. The Sycamores went down in order in the bottom of the inning.
 
Sackett recorded her seventh strikeout of the afternoon in the top of the sixth. Indiana State's offense again could not convert, stranding two runners after Annie Tokarek and Kennedy Shade singled.
 
The top of the seventh saw Lauren Sackett tally her eighth and final strikeout of the contest during another scoreless frame for the Sycamore starter. Trailing 3-0, Indiana State came to the plate looking to rally in the bottom of the seventh. Abi Chipps would reach with an infield single but Murray State's Hannah James was able to retire Olivia Patton for the game's final out.
 
Kennedy Shade and Danielle Henning each finished 2-for-3 to lead the Sycamore offense. Lauren Sackett picked up her team-best sixth complete game of the year but drops to 5-8 with the loss.
 
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