The Murray State baseball team played a three-game series at home this past weekend against the Redbirds of Illinois State, and they were able to take two of three.
The Racers outscored the Redbirds 26-23, and three runs decided all three games. This series brings the Racers’ home record to 16-8 and their overall record to 26-17.
Game 1
The first game of the three-game series was a pitcher’s duel, which the Racers won 3-0.
All three of the runs the Racers scored came in the fourth inning, as the pitchers dominated the rest of the game. The first came from a solo home run from graduate student first baseman Taylor Howell, the second from a double from redshirt senior catcher Ethan Krizen, and the third from a triple from redshirt junior outfielder Dustin Mercer.
Senior Cade Vernon started on the mound and was a driving force in the team’s win. He pitched seven innings and set a new career-high in strikeouts with nine.
Game 2
The Racers could not get the sweep in the three-game series, losing the second game with a score of 11-8.
While the Racers had a 2-1 lead at the end of the second inning, seven unanswered runs from the Redbirds in the third and fourth innings were the big reason for their win. The Racers scored more runs in the game’s later stages, but it was not enough to come back from the deficit
Graduate student pitcher Jacob Pennington got the start on the mound for the Racers, but he could only pitch the first three innings. The other pitcher who pitched more than three innings was graduate student Allen Roulette, who also couldn’t stop the bleeding.
Game 3
After losing game two, the Racers were able to come back and win the final game of the series 15-12.
Both team’s offenses were firing on all cylinders, but the Racers outdueled the Redbirds in an offensive onslaught. Howell and redshirt junior outfielder Jonathan Hogart were the driving forces in the win. They both finished with four runs batted in, accounting for eight of the team’s 15 runs.
As for the pitching, sophomore Ethan Lyke got the start but could only tally two strikeouts through 2.1 innings.
What’s Next
The Racers will be back in action on Tuesday, April 30, when they travel to face the Skyhawks of UT Martin. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. in Martin, Tennessee.
