Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Missouri
Players Mentioned
Racers Ready For Showdown at Mizzou
5/1/2017 3:35:00 PM | Baseball
GAME 45
Murray State (22-22) at Missouri (27-18)
May 2, 2017
First Pitch: 6 p.m.
Series History: Missouri leads 8-6-1
Last Meeting: MSU 6, MU 5 – Feb. 28, 2005
Stadium: Taylor Stadium
Dimensions: 340 (LF) | 400 (CF) | 340 (RF)
Watch Live: SEC Network (PBP: Alex Perlman/Analyst: Todd Walker)
Live Stats
Twitter In-Game: @RacersBaseball
First Pitch
Coming off a 5-1 week last week, the Racers return to non-conference play with a trip to SEC country to face the Missouri Tigers. MSU won its fourth OVC series of the season over the weekend, winning 2-of-3 at Belmont. Meanwhile, the Tigers lost all three against Texas A&M. Former SEMO head coach Steve Bieser leads the Tigers.
Inside the Matchup
This will be the first meeting between the two schools since 2005. MSU has actually won the last two meetings in the series and is making its first trip to Columbia, Mo., since 1976. This will only be the third time that the Racers will travel to play the Tigers, having played 13 times in Murray.
On-Base Streak
Brandon Gutzler has reached base safely in 42 consecutive games this season for the Racers, dating back to the second game of the year. That mark is currently tied for the longest active streak in the country along with Air Force's Tyler Jones.
Starting Off Right
The Racers have hit 14 leadoff home runs this season, including four that have led off games, all by Kipp Moore. Four of Moore's five homers have been at the beginning of games in 2017. This weekend at Belmont, the Racers hit five leadoff homers.
Scouting Missouri
The Tigers enter Tuesday's contest looking to snap a six-game skid. Connor Brumfield leads the team with a .317 average in 2017 and is second with 11 stolen bases. Trey Harris leads Missouri with 43 RBIs and 12 home runs on the year while also leading the Tigers with 33 runs scored. Kameron Misner leads Mizzou with 16 stolen bases on the year and leads the Tigers by starting in 44-of-45 games this season. As a team, Missouri is hitting .269 and is 69-of-95 on stolen-base attempts.
TJ Sikkema is one of the top pitchers in the country as he enters the week with a perfect 6-0 record and an ERA of 2.40 while also leading the Tigers with four saves on the year. Tanner Houck leads the team with 72 strikeouts and 73.1 innings pitched this season. He's also started a team-high 11 contests. As a team, the Tigers have an ERA of 3.57 and an opponent batting average of just .228.
Probable Pitching Matchup
Jack Hranec (LHP) (3-2, 6.50 ERA) vs. Andy Toelken (RHP) (2-3, 3.51 ERA)
