Racers Come Out Fast and Hang on Late

Friday, April 6

Reagan Field

12 p.m.

Murray State

16-14

Harris-Stowe

25-13

Harris-Stowe

Murray State

4/6/2018 3:34:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Murray State got a big four-run first inning and was able to hang on down the stretch as the Racers defeated Harris-Stowe State 8-5 Friday afternoon at Reagan Field.

The Racers (16-14) got out the gates on fire with the early 4-0 lead. A Ramsey Scott double down the right field line started the scoring on the day as he scored Brandon Gutzler. Gutzler reached two batters earlier on a double of his own. After Scott's at-bat, Grant Wood hit a triple to right center and would later come in to score on a passed ball by the Hornets (25-13). Mike Farnell's fourth home run of the season rounded-out the first inning barrage as he hit a shot to left center field.

In the third, Sims blasted his fourth homer of the season, this one was a no-doubter that went well over the fence in the left field and the Racers led 5-0. HSSU got on the board for the first time in the sixth inning on a solo shot of its own. The Hornets would go on to score in three consecutive innings as two runs in each the seventh and eighth, cut the Racer lead down to 6-5. MSU got its sixth run on a sacrifice fly by Gavin Wehby in the bottom half of the sixth.

In the eighth, the Racers got some breathing room as Gutzler delivered his second double of the day, this one to left center that brought home Jake Slunder and Wehby. In the ninth, Jake Jones was able to shut the door on the Hornets and pick up his first career save in the process.

Gutzler and Wood were the two Racers with more than one hit in the victory. Gutzler was 3-for-5 at the dish while Wood went 2-for-4. CJ Bush was 1-of-3 on the day offensively and Farnell went a perfect 1-for-1 as he drew a walk and was hit by a pitch twice.

Trevor McMurray got the start on the bump for the Racers and was solid in his fourth victory of the season. McMurray pitched six strong innings, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out a career-high seven batters. Jones pitched 1.1 innings of relief and allowed two hits with a strikeout in his save opportunity. Blake Clynes and Connor Holden also appeared out of the bullpen in the win.

MSU is done for the week now as it is the non-OVC week for the team. The Racers return to action Tuesday at Evansville before hosting Austin Peay in a non-conference tilt Wednesday.