Murray State
Middle Tennessee
Racers Open Five-Game Homestand Against Middle Tennessee
4/9/2019 2:41:00 PM | Baseball
Middle Tennessee at Murray State
GAME 30
April 10
First Pitch:Â Wednesday: 6 p.m.
Series History:Â Murray State leads 98-81-1
Last Meeting:Â MTSU 8, MSU 5 (13 inn.) - April 2, 2019
Stadium:Â Reagan Field (Capacity: 800)
Dimensions:Â 330Â (LF), 405 (CF), 330 (RF)
Live Video: ESPN+
Live Video: Statbroadcast
In-Game Twitter:Â @RacersBaseball
First Pitch
Coming off their fourth straight OVC series win at Tennessee Tech over the weekend, the Racers return home for the first of five straight games at Reagan Field. MTSU is coming off a sweep of Western Kentucky and will play Tuesday night against #6/7 Vanderbilt.
Inside the Series
The Racers and Blue Raiders have met 180 times on the diamond, most recently eight days ago in Murfreesboro, where MTSU won 8-5 in 13 innings.Before that, the two teams did not play each other since MTSU left the OVC after the 2000 season. Murray State currently holds a 98-81-1 overall advantage, including a 55-28 record at home.
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.
Running Wild
Under a new coaching staff, the Racers have been showing their speed on the basepaths as they have stolen 60 bases. They are currently second in the OVC behind EKU, who has 73. The Racers also have the best stolen base success rate at 82.2%
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 Akansas 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 are currently up 30.5 to 13.5.
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 Middle Tennessee
The Blue Raiders have won four straight games after sweeping Western Kentucky over the weekend. The winning streak began with an 8-5 13 inning win over the Racers last week.
Middle Tennessee was picked 12th in Conference USA after finishing ninth a season ago. They currently sit in fifth place in 2019 with a 7-5 conference record.
Blake Benefield was lone member of MTSU to be named to the Preseason All-Conference team. He is currently hitting .265 with six home runs and 19 RBI while starting 28 of 31 games in the outfield
After batting .500 (11-for-22) with five extra-base hits, nine RBI and nine runs scored in a 4-0 week, sophomore SS Myles Christian was named Conference USA Hitter of the Week.
Probable Starters
TBA vs. Peyton Hayes (RHP) (2-1, 5.93 ERA)
