For the first time since 2003, the Murray State baseball team is conference champions.

The Racers beat the Missouri State Bears 10-5 to win their first-ever Missouri Valley Conference championship. They will make their third NCAA tournament appearance in program history.

Murray State scored six runs in the first four innings, led by redshirt senior outfielder and MVC Tournament MVP Dustin Mercer, who tripled and doubled in back-to-back innings to plate four of them.

Senior Isaac Silva pitched a solid five innings, striking out five Bears batters and only allowing two runs. Murray State led 6-2 after five innings.

A two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning for the Bears cut the lead to two. Murray State answered the Missouri State homer by scoring four runs and taking a 10-4 lead.

Missouri State scored on a sacrifice fly to right field in the top of the seventh inning to score their fifth run.

Freshman Reese Oakley pitched the final three innings, surrendering a hit and walking a batter, but didn’t give up another run as the Racers punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

Murray State’s win total on the season moves to 39, which is one shy of the program record 40 wins set in 1975.

The Racers find out which region of the NCAA Tournament they’ll be in at 11 a.m. (tentative time according to NCAA.com) on Monday, May 26, when the 2025 college baseball tournament selection show airs on ESPN2.