Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Eastern Illinois
Racers Look to Continue Winning Ways Against EIU
3/14/2019 3:27:00 PM | Baseball
Eastern Illinois at Murray State
GAMES 16-18
March 15-17
First Pitch:Â Friday: 3 p.m., Saturday 1 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m.
Series History:Â Eastern Illinois leads 48-41
Last Meeting:Â MSU 15, EIU 5 - May 22, 2018
Stadium: Johnny Reagan Field
Dimensions:Â 330 (LF), 400 (CF), 330 (RF)
Live Stats:Â All Games
In-Game Twitter:Â @RacersBaseball
First Pitch
The Racers return to OVC action against Eastern Illinois after winning a midweek game against Kentucky State. EIU went 1-2 against JSU last weekend before defeating Alabama State twice during the week. This series was supposed to be played at EIU, but unplayble field conditions forced the series to Murray, so the Panthers will be the home team for the three games.
Inside the Series
The Racers and and Panthers have met 89 times on the diamond with EIU holding a slight 48-41 advantage. In Murray, the Racers have won 22 out of 53 games against Eastern Illinois. The last time these two teams met was in the OVC Tournament a season ago where the Racers won, 15-5.
No Runs for You
Against Austin Peay, the Racers allowed just five runs in the three-game series. It was the lowest amount of runs the Racers have allowed in a three-game OVC series since allowing five runs against UT Martin in 1996.
Battle of the Border
With two wins against Austin Peay, the Racers now hold a 28-11 lead in the Heritage Bank Battle of the Border. The first team to 34 points will clinch the title. Murray State has won the first two years of the battle.
Running Wild
Under a new coaching staff, the Racers have been showing their speed on the base paths as they have stolen 28 bases. They are currently second in the OVC behind EKU, who has 51.
Anderson Plays Hero
Brock Anderson propelled the Racers to a 5-4 victory over Illinois State with a two-run walk-off double. It was the first walk-off for the Racers since Ramsey Scott had walk offs in two straight games against SIU Edwardsville on March 9th and 10th, 2018.
Triple Play
In the eighth inning against Miami (OH) in the final game of the series, the Racers pulled off one of the rarest plays in baseball, the triple play. A grounder right down the third-base line allowed MSU to go around the horn to get out of the jam. It was the third triple play in Racer history, previously done on March 8, 2006 at Ole Miss and March 16, 2016 vs. Kentucky State.
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 Eastern Illinois
The Panthers are coming off a two-game sweep of Alabama State after going 1-2 against Jacksonville State last weekend to open OVC play.
Eastern Illinois was picked to finish eighth in the Ohio Valley Conference, just ahead of Murray State.
Jimmy Govern and Tyler Jones were each selected to the Preseason All-OVC team. Govern has lived up to expectations as he is hitting .338 with a team-high four home runs and 14 RBI.
Jones has struggled out of the gate in 2019 after being named All-OVC second team a season ago. The senior currently has a 9.72 ERA and has 10 strikeouts against 10 walks.
Probable Starters
Michael YaSenka (RHP) (0-3, 5.19 ERA) vs. Trevor McMurray (RHP) (0-3, 4.29 ERA)
Spenser Dexter (RHP) (1-0, 3.80 ERA) vs. Shane Burns (LHP) (1-1, 4.76 ERA)
Tyler Jones (RHP) (0-1, 9.72 ERA) vs. Jake Jones (1-0, 2.76 ERA)
