Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Eastern Illinois
Players Mentioned
Series Shifts as Racers Travel to EIU
3/23/2017 11:19:00 AM | Baseball
GAMES 21-23
Murray State (12-8, 3-3 OVC) at Eastern Illinois (2-17, 1-2 OVC)
March 24 and 25 (possibly 26th), 2017
First Pitch: Friday: 12 and 3 p.m., Saturday: 1 p.m. (weather permitting), Sunday: 1 p.m., if necessary
Series History: EIU leads the all-time series 47-25
Last Meeting: MSU 3, EIU 9 – April 3, 2016
Stadium: Coaches Stadium
Dimensions: 340 (LF) | 380 (CF) | 340 (RF)
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Twitter In-Game: @RacersBaseball
First Pitch
The Racers conclude their four-game road swing throughout the state of Illinois with a three-game set at Eastern Illinois. The series has shifted a bit due to weather and will now start with a doubleheader on Friday at noon. Game three will try to be played Saturday, but if it can't, the finale will be Sunday at 1 p.m.
Inside the Series
The Racers are 13-14 all-time at EIU and swept the Panthers the last time they were at Coaches Stadium back in 2015. The weekend series will be the first games played at home for the Panthers who played their first 19 games on the road. MSU has won 7-of-9 as of late in the series after losing eight consecutive prior to the recent run.
Another Doubleheader
This will be the fourth weekend in a row that the Racers will play a doubleheader. Each of the past three weekends have all been shifted to doubleheaders on the first day of play due to weather. This weekend, the two teams will try to play the series finale Saturday at 1 p.m., but it is unlikely and the finale would then be moved to Sunday at 1 p.m.
Scouting Eastern Illinois
Joseph Duncan is the only Panther hitting above .300 on the season as he comes into the weekend hitting at a .316 clip. Duncan also leads EIU with 12 runs scored and four stolen bases and is one of only two Panthers to have started in all 19 games in 2017. Matt Albert leads EIU in slugging as he has five home runs and 13 RBIs this season while also drawing a team-best 10 walks. As a team, the Panthers are hitting .211 and scoring 3.5 runs per game. Jake Haberer, who is the game one starter for the Panthers, leads the team with a 3.65 ERA. Meanwhile, Alex Stevenson has the lone two victories for EIU in 2017 while Brent Stephens leads the squad with 20 strikeouts. Hunter Clark has appeared in a team-high 11 games this year. Game two starter Michael McCormick has a team-best 24.2 innings pitched. Second-year head coach Jason Anderson leads the Panthers.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Game one: Ryan Dills (RHP) (2-0, 3.99 ERA) vs. Jake Haberer (RHP) (0-0, 3.65 ERA)
Game two: Austin Dubsky (RHP) (2-3, 3.91 ERA) vs. Michael McCormick (RHP) (0-3, 5.84 ERA)
Game three: Jack Hranec (LHP) (2-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. TBA
Grand Salami
Davis Sims blasted the third grand slam of the season for the Racers in MSU's 13-10 victory over Southern Illinois on Wednesday. His third homer of the season pushed the Racers out front of SIU and they never trailed again in the contest. MSU moved to 2-1 this season in games where its hit a grand slam. Adam Bauer had one in the 22-0 win over Kentucky State and Tyler Lawrence had one in the finale against Siena where the Racers lost 9-8.
