Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
SIU Edwardsville
Racers Wrap Up Regular Season With Trip to SIUE
5/15/2019 11:34:00 AM | Baseball
Murray State at SIU Edwardsville
GAMES 49-51
May 16-18
First Pitch: Thursday: 6 p.m. Friday: 6 p.m., Saturday: 1 p.m.
Series History: SIUE leads 18-12
Last Meeting: MSU 9, SIUE 8 - March 10, 2018
Stadium: Simmons Complex (Capacity: 1,500)
Dimensions: 330 (LF), 390 (CF), 330 (RF)
Live Stats:Â Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3
In-Game Twitter: @RacersBaseball
First Pitch]
The Racers officially clinched a spot in the 2019 OVC Tournament after going 2-1 against UT Martin over the weekend. SIUE is currently in last place in the OVC but is still alive for the eight seed in the conference tournament.
Inside the Series
The Racers and Cougars have met just 30 times on the diamond before with SIUE holding an 18-12 series lead. In Edwardsville, the Cougars have an 8-4 advantage. Murray State has won three of the last four games in this series.
OVC Tournament Berth Clinched
The Racers officially clinched a spot in the 2019 OVC Tournament. After being picked ninth in the preseason poll, Murray State can be no lower than the six-seed. The tournament will begin, Wednesday, May 22.
Grand Slam City
Jordan Cozart hit the Racers' first grand slam of the season against UT Martin, Sunday leading Murray State to a comeback victory. It was the Racers first grand slam since Mike Farnell hit one on May 17, 2018, also against the Skyhawks.
Back-to-Back
Following Cozart's grand slam, Jaron Robinson hit his fourth home run of the season. It was the first time MSU has hit back-to-back home runs since Ramsey Scott and Mike Farnell did so against Southeast Missouri in 2018.
Senior Day
This past Sunday was Senior Day at Reagan Field where the Racers honored their senior class which includes Jaron Robinson, Blake Clynes, Joe McMahon, Tyler Duke, Peyton Hayes, and Chance Carner. They also honored redshirt-junior Cole Womack.
Comeback Kids
After coming back from two different deficits against UT Martin, Sunday, the Racers now have 13 comeback victories. Of those 13, 10 have come when down in the seventh inning or later.
Robinson Nearing 200 Hits
After becoming just the ninth player in program history to play in 200 games, Tuesday at Evansville, senior shortstop Jaron Robinson is close to another 200 milestone as he is currently sitting at 191 career hits.
20 Wins in Year One
With the win at Evansville, Tuesday evening, the Racers now have 20 wins on the season. For head coach Dan Skirka, he is the second head coach in program history to get to 20 wins in his first season joining Mike Thieke who won 24 games in 1994.
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 78 bases. They are currently second in the OVC behind EKU, who has 118. The Racers also have the third-best stolen base success rate at 79.6%.
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.Â
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 against 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, Ryan Perkins, and Jordan Cozart.
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 jumped out to a 28-11 lead in the Heritage Bank Battle of the Border. Murray State has since clinched the title for the third straight year after winning the OVC women's golf championship.
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
Scouting SIU Edwardsville
The Cougars are currently tied for last place in the OVC but sit just one game out of eighth with three games to go. SIUE was picked 10th in the preseason poll.
SIUE was the only other team along with Murray State to not have a single player on the  Preseason All-OVC team.
In a deep catcher field in the OVC, Brock Weimer is looking to be named All-OVC as he is currently leading the team with a .297 average, 11 home runs, and 43 RBI.
Collin Baumgartner is currently seventh in the nation with 14 starts. In 68.1 innings pitched, he sports a 4.87 ERA with a team-high 72 strikeouts.
Along with the Racers, SIUE has also turned a triple play this season, doing so against Evansville, March 27. It is one of just 12 turned in the NCAA this season.
Probable Starters
Trevor McMurray (RHP) (2-6, 5.15Â ERA) vs. Collin Baumgartner (RHP) (1-5, 4.87Â ERA)
Gray Dorsey (RHP) (1-3, 5.17 ERA) vs. Kenny Serwa (RHP) (3-2, 3.15 ERA)
TBA vs. David Llorens (LHP) (3-6, 6.46 ERA)
