Racers Wrap up Homestand With Evansville on Tuesday

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

4/15/2019 3:00:00 PM | Baseball

Evansville at Murray State
GAME 34
April 16
First Pitch: Tuesday: 5 p.m.
Series History: Evansville leads 40-19
Last Meeting: MSU 8, UE 3 - April 10, 2018
Stadium: Reagan Field (Capacity: 800)
Dimensions: 330 (LF), 405 (CF), 330 (RF)
Live Video: ESPN+
Live Video: Statbroadcast
In-Game Twitter: @RacersBaseball

First Pitch
The Racers wrap up a five-game homestand with a midweek game against Evansville. Murray State is coming off a 2-1 weekend against Southeast Missouri while the Purple Aces were swept by Indiana.

Inside the Series
Murray State and Evansville have met 59 times on the diamond before with the Purple Aces holding a 40-19 advantage, but the Racers have won four straight in the series. The two teams have met at least once a year since 1994 for a total of 46 matchups.

Racers at the Top
By winning their fifth straight OVC series, the Racers now sit in a tie for first place in the Ohio Valley Conference. This is the latest in a season MSU has been atop the standings since May 16, 2010.

Johnny Reagan Day
Friday, April 12, was Johnny Reagan Day as the baseball program honored the late former head coach with his number forever gracing the left field wall. The team also was referred to as the Thoroughbreds in game two, the nickname they were known as during Reagan's tenure, and also all wore #36.

Running Wild
Under a new coaching staff, the Racers have been showing their speed on the basepaths as they have stolen 69 bases. They are currently second in the OVC behind EKU, who has 84. The Racers also have the best stolen base success rate at 83.1%.

McMurray Goes The Distance
Trevor McMurray pitched his best game as a Racer against Tennessee Tech. The junior threw a complete game, matching a career high with seven strikeouts. It was the first complete game for MSU since Brad Boegel against Eastern Illinois.

Schad's Strong Series
Redshirt-freshman Wes Schad had himself a weekend against Tennessee Tech, hitting three home runs including the go-ahead two-run shot in game three. Schad became the first Racer to hit three home runs in a series since Davis Sims hit four and Brandon Gutzler hit three against Morehead State in 2017.

Two Straight for Ivey
Joe Ivey got the start on the mound for the Racers at Middle Tennessee. He also started MSU's last game six days ago at Austin Peay, meaning he will become the first Racer pitcher to start back-to-back games since John Lollar made two straight starts against Tennessee Tech and Arkansas State in 2016.

Duke Delivers
Not once but twice did Tyler Duke send the Racers home winners over the weekend against JSU. He began the series with a two-out bases-loaded walk-off single to win 8-7 before ending the weekend with a walk-off triple to win 9-8. Sean Darmafall also scored the winning run in both games.

Anderson Stays Hot
Brock Anderson extended his hitting streak to 10 games against Missouri. He was the first player for the Racers this season to reach a double-digit hitting streak and has since been joined by Tyler Duke who is currently riding a 10-game hitting streak

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 extended the MSU lead to 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 and is currently up 33.5 to 16.5.

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 Evansville
The Purple Aces were picked last in the Missouri Valley Conference but are currently tied for first at 5-1, including two wins over perennial power Dallas Baptist.

Evansville is looking to get back in the win column after losing six straight games, including a four-game sweep at the hands of Indiana over the weekend.

The Purple Aces return four of their top five hitters from last season, led by junior outfielder Troy Beilsmith. Beilsmith hit .335 with 42 runs scored, 18 doubles, seven home runs and 28 RBI for the Aces in 2018.

Nate Reeder is currently leading Evansville with a .336 batting average. He also has three home runs and 23 runs batted in.

Probable Starters
AJ Fritz vs. Justin Thomas (RHP) (2-0, 5.25 ERA)