Late Power Surge Lifts Racers

Friday, March 23

Reagan Field

1 p.m.

Murray State

12-11, 3-4

Eastern Illinois

9-12, 1-3

Eastern Illinois

Murray State

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

3/23/2018 4:46:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Brandon Gutzler broke a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the eighth with a two-run home run and two batters later, Ramsey Scott followed that up with a solo shot to right center as Murray State opened its three-game series against Eastern Illinois with a 7-4 victory Friday afternoon at Reagan Field.

Gutzler, along with Gavin Wehby, led the Racers (12-11, 3-4 OVC) with three-hit days each. Gutzler went 3-for-5 at the plate with a pair of runs and three ribbies while Wehby was 3-of-4 with a run, hit-by-pitch and stolen base.

The Panthers (9-12, 1-3 OVC) took the early lead on the day with a run in the top of the second. In the bottom half of the inning, Jaron Robinson pushed MSU out in front for the first time as he hit a two-out, two-RBI single to center field that scored Mike Farnell and Caleb Hicks. In the fourth, Gutzler would extend the lead to 3-1 with a single down the third base line.

After a sac fly RBI by EIU in the fifth, Davis Sims delivered the run back for MSU with a single to left center that brought home Gutzler for his first run of the day and the Racers were out front 4-2. In the seventh, a Dougie Parks two-run homer to left field tied the game at 4-4 before Gutzler and Scott's long balls in the eighth.

Tyler Anderson picked up the win as he pitched the final two innings of relief for MSU. Anderson allowed no hits while striking out a batter on the way to his second victory of the season. Peyton Hayes got the start and went five solid innings for the Racers, allowing two runs on seven hits. Jake Jones appeared in two innings of relief and gave up the home run to Parks while striking out two batters.

Game two of the series is slated for Saturday but the start time has yet to be determined due to forecasted rain during the day Saturday.