Gamecocks Score Late to Down Racers

Saturday, March 23

Murray, Ky.

1 p.m.

Murray State

9-13, 5-3

Jacksonville State

11-12, 3-2

Jacksonville State

Murray St.

Ryan Perkins

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

3/23/2019 4:53:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

The Murray State baseball team showed their fight again Saturday afternoon, coming back from 2-0 down late in the game, but ultimately fell to Jacksonville State, 4-2, at Reagan Field.

The Racers fall to 9-13 overall and 5-3 in the Ohio Valley Conference while the Gamecocks improves to 11-12 and 3-2 in conference play.

"Jacksonville State's a good program, they're top of the OVC year in and out," said head coach Dan Skirka. "They made some plays and we left way too many guys on base, which is a good and bad thing. That means guys are getting on, but we couldn't get that clutch hit to break through. That's two good games to begin the series and I'm expecting another one tomorrow."

Neither team could get the big hit as there were 24 runners left on base by both teams in the game. Ryan Perkins had the only RBI hit in the game, a two-run double, as the four JSU runs came on a sacrifice fly, error, fielder's choice, and wild pitch.

Shane Burns started the game on the mound for the Racers and had another quality outing, throwing 6.1 innings and allowing just one run while striking out five.

The game remained scoreless through four innings before JSU pushed a run across in the fifth to take the lead. They added another run in the seventh, but the Racers answered in the home half of the inning with two runs to tie the game.

Tyler Duke doubled with one before Jake Slunder walked. The Gamecocks brought a lefty out of the bullpen to face Brock Anderson and Perkins and while he struck out Anderson, he could not retire Perkins, who laced a double down the right-field line to tie the game.

However the game did not remain tied for long as JSU retook the lead in the eighth. The damage could have been worse for the Racers, but a 6-4-3 double play put the inning to bed.

Murray State threatened in the bottom of the eighth as Jaron Robinson and CJ Bush both singled with one out, but two straight flyouts by Jordan Holly and Duke ended the rally.

The Gamecocks added an insurance run in the ninth, but did not need it as two JSU pitchers combined to strike out the side in the ninth.

For the third straight series to open OVC play, the Racers will play a rubber game to finish the weekend. First pitch between JSU and Murray State tomorrow is scheduled for 1 p.m.