Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Buffalo
Players Mentioned
Racers Host Buffalo in First Home Series of 2017
2/23/2017 1:28:00 PM | Baseball
GAMES 5-7
Murray State (4-0) vs. Buffalo (1-2)
Feb. 24-26, 2017
First Pitch: Friday: 2Â p.m., Saturday: 1 p.m., Sunday: noon
Series History: First-ever meeting
Last Meeting: N/A
Stadium: Reagan Field (Capacity: 550)
Dimensions: 330 (LF) | 400 (CF) | 330 (RF)
Live Stats: Game one | Game two | Game three
Watch Live: OVC Digital Network
Twitter In-Game: @RacersBaseball
First Pitch
The Racers open their 2017 home slate with a three-game set against Buffalo. MSU will play 26 games at Reagan Field this season, including 11 non-conference matchups. The Racers are coming off a 4-0 opening weekend down south and are receiving votes in the NCBWA top-30 poll.
Inside the Matchup
This will be the first-ever matchup between the Racers and the Bulls. MSU is 32-26 all-time against the Mid-American Conference and it will be the seventh opponent the Racers have faced from the league. MSU last faced a team from the MAC last season when it won 3-of-4 from Northern Illinois.
Scouting Buffalo
The Bulls opened the season going 1-2 in a series at UT Martin played in Union City, Tenn. Buffalo is led by 2016 First Team All-MAC selection Vinny Mallaro who hit .351 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs last season. This season, UB has been led by Brian Dudek's .364 batting average through three games. Ben Haefner, Chris Kwitzer and Alex Thrower lead the Bulls with three RBIs each so far in the young campaign. Thrower also leads the team with three runs scored this year.
The pitching staff is led by 2016 All-MAC first teamer Alec Tuohy who defeated UT Martin in the season opener. Tuohy allowed just two hits and struck-out five in five innings of work against the Skyhawks. Shawn Dubin and Charlie Sobieraski are also projected to be starters this weekend. Ben Vey has appeared in two games already for the Bulls and has logged 5.2 innings of work out of the bullpen and recorded a 1.59 ERA. Head Coach Ron Torgalski is in his 11th season at UB.
Dills Named OVC Pitcher of the Week
Ryan Dills tied a career-high with 10 strikeouts in the Racers' 2-0 victory over 13th-ranked Louisiana on February 18. Dills allowed just four hits in seven innings of work and was named the ADIDAS OVC Pitcher of the Week for his efforts.
Hot Start
With MSU's four victories to open the season, the Racers are 4-0 for the first time since 2010 which was also the last time the Racers made the OVC Tournament.
Coming Up Clutch
So far this season, Kipp Moore has provided three of the four game-winning RBIs for the Racers. Moore's double to left center against Hofstra provided MSU's second run in its 5-1 win over the Pride, while his single against Southeastern Louisiana gave the Racers a 2-0 lead in their 3-1 win. Moore then closed MSU's opening weekend with a hit to center field in the top of the 16th inning to break an 8-8 tie with Alcorn State.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday: Trevor McMurray (RHP) (1-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. Alec Tuohy (RHP) (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Saturday: Ryan Dills (RHP) (1-0, 0.00) vs. Charlie Sobieraski (0-1, 18.00 ERA)
Sunday: Austin Dubsky (RHP) (1-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. Shawn Dubin (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
