Story by Mark McFarland, Assistant Sports Editor

The Racer baseball team traveled to St. Louis University on Wednesday and came home with a 9-1 victory before the team’s week off.

This was the first time Head Coach Kevin Moulder faced his old team. He was a pitching coach for the Billikens before accepting the head coach position at Murray State last year.

Murray State came off a 2-1 loss to Evansville University Tuesday night after a pitcher’s duel at Cutchin Field. Wednesday turned into a hitter’s game when the Racers jumped out to 13 hits and nine runs to finish the game. Following the loss to the Purple Aces, Moulder said the St. Louis game would be an important one for him.

“The game honestly will probably mean more than the players to be honest with you,” Moulder said. “But it’s an important game for us.”

Junior outfielder Adam Bauer led the Racers with a 4-5 offensive performance with a double, two triples and four RBIs. Sophomore infielder Caleb Hicks played in his hometown for the first time since signing with Murray State, finishing the game going 3-5 with two doubles, a walk and two RBIs.

The Racers jumped out to a quick 3-1 lead in the third inning after the Billikens chased` junior right-handed pitcher Austin Dubsky from the game after 1.2 innings pitched and giving up one run on four hits. Redshirt sophomore Brandon Hicks earned his second win of the season when he came in to relieve Dubsky.

Brandon Hicks pitched 2.1 giving up no runs on just one hit.

Murray State scored one run in the fifth inning to take a 4-1 lead before scoring five more runs in the seventh and eighth innings to secure the 9-1 victory. The Racers move to an overall record of 17-20 and are in eighth place in the OVC with a conference record of 6-9. 

Murray State will have a week off before the team travels to the University of Mississippi April 20.