Racers Start OVC Play with Win Over Austin Peay

Friday, March 6

Clarksville, Tenn.

6 p.m.

Murray State

8-6, 1-0

Austin Peay

5-8, 0-2

Murray State

Austin Peay

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

3/6/2020 9:08:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

For the first time this season, the Murray State baseball team left a visiting ballpark victorious and they picked a perfect time to do it as they took down Austin Peay, 4-1, to open OVC play.

"Typical tight hard-fought OVC game," said head coach Dan Skirka. "Trevor [McMurray] was outstanding again. We had a lot of good at-bats though we didn't have a lot to show for it. Hit some balls on the screws, but that's baseball."

Trevor McMurray was stellar once again, pitching 6.2 innings while tying a career-high with nine strikeouts. He allowed his first run of the season, but still owns a minuscule 0.35 ERA for the season.

Connor Holden also continued his strong start to the season, pitching the final 2.1 innings, allowing no runs while striking out four for his first career save.

At the plate, Bryson Bloomer led the way, going 4-for-4 while hitting his first MSU home run. The junior now has hits in nine straight at-bats spanning three games.

Jake Slunder provided the other runs for the Racers as he hit his second home run of the season, a two-run shot to break a scoreless game in the third inning.

The Racers added a run in the sixth as Bloomer came into score on a wild pitch, giving the Racers a 3-0 lead.

In the seventh, Austin Peay got on the board with a sacrifice fly. After reloading the bases, the Governors were shut down by Holden the rest of the way as he retired all seven batters he faced to end the game.

"Holden really pitched great tonight," continued Skirka. " He came in and got their best hitter out with the bases loaded and then really attacked and closed it out."

The two teams will continue their series tomorrow at Raymond C. Hand Park at 1 p.m. Shane Burns will get the start on the mound for the Racers.