Photo - APSU Athletics
Morgan Rackel was a force of one for the Austin Peay State University softball team, Tuesday afternoon at Cheryl Holt Field, as the Governors defeated Bradley University in its 2018 home opener, 2-0. The junior left-handed pitcher from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, pitched a four-hit, complete-game shutout for the Govs (11-7) her third shutout of the season – striking out 10 and walked one – while also helping herself at the plate with two hits, including the game winner versus the Braves (10-11).
In a scoreless pitcher’s duel heading into the bottom of the sixth, freshman Emily Harkleroad opened the inning up for the Govs by hitting the first pitch she saw over the Bradley left fielders head for a double.
After a sacrifice bunt by Brooke Pfefferle moved Harkleroad to third base, Natalie Schilling would reach on an infield hit, steal second, and an out later see Danielle Liermann draw a walk to load the bases and set up Rackel’s heroics.
She didn’t disappoint ripping a 1-2 pitch into left-center field to bring in Harkleroad and Schilling with the only runs of the game.
Rackel also broke up the Braves no-hit bid in the bottom of the fifth inning with a bunt single to open the frame, with only Kacy Acree reaching base for the Govs up to that point – getting on by an error by the Bradley right fielder in the bottom of the first inning.
(Courtesy APSU Athletics)
