Racers Defeat SIU in Extra Innings

Wednesday, February 25

Carbondale, IL

2 p.m.

Murray State

2-5

Southern Illinois

1-7

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Murray State	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	3	6	0
Southern Illinois	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	X	2	10	1

Photo by: Murray State Sports Information

2/25/2015 5:50:00 PM | Baseball

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Kipp Moore's sacrifice fly to right field in the 11^th inning scored Tyler Lawrence from third to lead Murray State to a 3-2 victory Wednesday afternoon over Southern Illinois in Carbondale, Ill. Lawrence led off the inning with a triple to setup the game-winning run.

The win is the Racers' (2-5) first in extra innings this season and first extra-innings win since May of last season when they beat Kentucky in 12. It is also Murray State's first victory on the road this season.

The Racers once again opened the game strongly, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. Lawrence got MSU on the board first as he drove in Derek Yoder on a fielder's choice. The next batter Reed Thompson scored Anthony Bayus on a double to right field that hit the wall. From there on however, the Racer bats were held pretty silent for most of the game.

SIU (1-7) cut the lead down to 2-1 with a run in the third inning and was able to force extra innings with a Logan Blackfan solo home run to left field in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Racers were able to get out of a jam in the inning as the Salukis had runners on the corners with just one out. Tyler Anderson came into the game at that point to pitch for Murray State and was able to get MSU to the 10^th inning.

In the 11^th, SIU was threatening again with runners on and just one out, but on a bunt, Anderson made a nice play in the field and was able to flip the ball to Lawrence at home plate to get the second out of the inning. The next batter, Anderson was able to strike out to end the game.

Southern Illinois out-hit the Racers 10-6 in the game but got just the one extra-base hit on the homer. The Racers collected three extra-base hits as Nick Moore also collected a double in the victory. SIU stole two bases in the game while the Racers were caught stealing once.

John Lollar made his first career start in the game for MSU. Lollar, who normally works relief, pitched two solid innings allowing just one hit and a walk. Brandon Hicks went three innings out of the bullpen and allowed one run on three hits to go along with a strikeout. Andrew Bramley pitched two shutout innings and Cody Maerz worked 1.1 innings of relief.

Anderson picked up his first career win as a Racer. Anderson's final line, 2.2 innings pitched, no hits allowed, with two walks and four strikeouts.

The Racers return to action this weekend as they head down to Emerson, Ga., for the second consecutive weekend. MSU will play a three-game series with Dayton beginning at 8 p.m. Friday.