Racers Sweep Mastodons in Day Two with Two Comeback Victories

Saturday, February 27

Murray, KY

12 p.m.

Murray State

3-3

Purdue Fort Wayne

1-2

Purdue Fort Wayne

Murray State

Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics

Racers Sweep Mastodons in Day Two with Two Comeback Victories

2/27/2021 5:40:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Box Score (PDF) Game 1 Box Score (PDF) Game 2 Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

Murray State delivered two come from behind wins in the series finale against Purdue Fort Wayne on Saturday at Reagan Field.

The Murray State baseball team (4-3) fell behind in each of the games to Purdue Fort Wayne (1-3) but battled back and came away with two comeback victories including a walk-off in game one.

Eight Racers collected hits on the day with Jordan Cozart once again leading the Racers going 3-5 with two RBIs, three runs scored and one walk.

Game 1 - Murray State 5, Purdue Fort Wayne 4
Both teams jumped on the board early in game one. Purdue Fort Wayne put up a single tally in the top half and Jordan Cozart hit a two-run shot to left field for his team-leading, third home run of the season.

After two scoreless innings, the Mastoodons put a three-spot on the board in the top of the fourth.

Two innings later in the sixth, the Racers tied the game at four apiece. Cozart and Brock Anderson were in scoring position for Murray State. Alex Crump reached on an error by Aaron Chapman at second base. Both Cozart and Anderson came home on the play.

With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Trey Woosley sparked the Racers with a pinch hit single through the right side. Next batter David Hudleson walked to put two runners on to set things up for Jake Slunder. With an 0-1 count, Slunder delivered, singling to right center. The Mastodons right fielder, Justin Greene, fumbled the ball allowing Woosley to take advantage and race home for the Racers' first walk-off victory of the season.

Game 2 - Murray State 3, Purdue Fort Wayne 2 (7 innings)
The finale proved to be a pitching duel with both teams scoring their runs in just one inning.

Again, the Mastodons started the scoring, using the small ball to advance their runners into scoring position. The runs came across in the top of the second thanks to an RBI single from Andrew Arteaga and a wild pitch.

Even with Purdue Fort Wayne pitching around him, Cozart ignited the Racers rally by drawing a lead-off walk. One batter later, Woosley singled to right field to put two runners on. Brennan McCullough stepped up with two outs to knock an RBI single to left, scoring Cozart. Hudleson smashed a double to right center, bringing home both Woosley and McCullough which proved to be the game-winning RBIs.

Alec Whaley shut the door on the Mastodons and Connor Holden earned his first save of the season, getting Purdue Fort Wayne to go 1-2-3 in the final inning.

The Racers feature five pitchers over the two games. In game one, Shane Burns started going 3.2 innings, striking out three, and allowed eight hits and four earned runs. Jacob Pennington came in in relief to throw 5.1 innings, also striking out three and gave up no runs.

In game two, Ryan Fender started, throwing 1.1 innings and allowed to earned runs. Whaley came in and went 4.2 innings, allowed two hits, no runs and struck out two. Holden picked up the save.

The Racers return to the road on Tuesday (March 2) to face Arkansas State in Jonesboro, Arkansas. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.