MURRAY, Ky. – Drake softball went toe-to-toe with the Murray State Racers for 11 innings in a marathon matchup this afternoon. The Bulldogs battled but could not come out with a win as Murray State walked it off in extras to win, 5-4.
 
The Racers bookended the game with runs as Adison Hicks started things off with a sacrifice fly to go up 1-0.
 
After two scoreless frames, Drake responded with four unanswered runs between the fourth and fifth innings. Skylar Rigby started the rally with a single before MaKayla Rice came home on an error. Rice later added to the spree with a double to left before Rigby punched a single up the middle. Drake led 4-1 in the middle of the fifth.
 
Murray State then took its turn on the comeback trail, mounting three runs on two singles in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game.
 
Five full innings then passed with nary a run between the two teams until Murray State halted the extra-inning affair in the 11th stanza. Shortstop Parker Holcombe singled to right to bring a run across as the Racers escaped with a 5-4 victory.
 
Rice led the Bulldogs on Saturday, going 4-for-5 with a run and an RBI. Emma Dighton added three hits in her six at bats and Skylar Rigby went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI.
 
In the circle, Dighton started and did not earn a decision after throwing five full innings and striking out three batters. Paige Bedsworth came on in relief for 5.2 innings of action. She took the loss, her first of the season.
 
The Bulldogs and Racers will conclude their series tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for noon.