This week's Murney Student-Athlete of the Week is Missouri State softball's Gracie Johnston. The senior once again led the way for the Bears in the circle, going 2-1 in three appearances. She owned a team-leading 1.94 earned run average as she gave up five earned runs in 18 innings of work, while tossing three complete games (two shutouts) and striking out 11 batters. In the series opener against Drake, Johnston hurled a one-hitter while logging a complete-game shutout and striking out five in the five-inning, run-rule victory over the Bulldogs. Johnston also drew the start in the series finale versus the Bulldogs, in which she earned her second complete-game shutout victory of the weekend. She allowed just two hits, while walking two and striking out five Bulldogs in seven innings pitched to improve to 6-5 on the season and help MSU secure a series sweep of Drake. In her first start of the week at first-place Southern Illinois, Johnston allowed five earned runs in six innings of work in MSU’s loss. Johnston is tied for sixth in the MVC this season with six wins.
