Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Memphis
Racers Ready to Battle Memphis for 100th Time
2/19/2019 3:40:00 PM | Baseball
GAME 4
Murray State at Memphis
Feb. 20, 2019
First Pitch:Â Wednesday, 3 p.m.
Series History:Â Memphis leads 64-35
Last Meeting: Memphis 10, MSU 6 - April 24, 2018
Stadium:Â FedExParkÂ
Dimensions:Â 318Â (LF) | 379Â (CF) | 318Â (RF)
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Twitter In-Game:Â @RacersBaseball
First Pitch
After opening the 2019 season at Oral Roberts, the Racers hit the road again for a midweek matchup with the Memphis Tigers looking for their first win of the season.
Inside the Series
There is not a team outside the OVC that the Racers have played more than Memphis as this will be the 100th meeting between the two schools. Memphis has a 64-35 advantage overall and has won 33 times in 51 games at home.
First At-Bat, First Home Run
In his collegiate debut, redshirt-freshman Wes Schad hit a three-run home run against Oral Roberts. The home run came in his first at-bat on just the second pitch.
New Faces
In addition to a new coaching staff, the Racers will add 13 new players to the 2019 team.
Fresh Lineup
There will be significant changes to the Racer lineup as they will have to replace seven starters. Senior shortstop Jaron Robinson and junior outfielder/first baseman Ryan Perkins are the only returning starters.
Familiar Rotation
Unlike the lineup, the Racers will return a majority of their pitching staff, including their top nine pitchers in innings pitched in 2018, led by junior Trevor McMurray
Tournament Trip
MSU is looking to make their third straight trip to the OVC Tournament this season. The Racers went 1-2 down at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., defeating Eastern Illinois in the first round.'
Scouting Memphis
The Tigers went 1-2 in their opening weekend against Indiana, picking up a 6-3 win in game two of a doubleheader, Saturday.
After finishing last in the American Athletic Conference a season ago, the Tigers were once picked to be a the bottom of the standings again. ECU is the top dog in the AAC, sitting at #11 in the country.
Memphis returns four of its top five hitters by average, led by Cale Hennemann, who led the squad with a .299 average last season and hit .377 during league play. Junior Alec Trela seeks to build upon a successful 2018 at the plate after leading the team in RBI (39) and home runs (7).
While the Tigers have not hit any home runs so far this year, they do lead the AAC in doubles, led by Hunter Goodman with three.
Probable Starters 2018Â Stats*
Jake Jones (RHP) (1-1, 6.23 ERA) vs. Drew Talley (RHP) (1-0, 4.58 ERA)
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