Two Ninth-Inning Runs Carry Racers Over Golden Eagles

Thursday, April 1

Cookeville, Tenn.

4 p.m.

Murray State

12-12, 5-2

Tennessee Tech

9-11, 4-6

Murray State

Tennessee Tech

Photo by: Tennessee Tech Sports Information

4/1/2021 11:10:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Murray State scores two in the ninth to clinch series opener.

The Murray State Racers (13-11, 5-2) defeated the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (9-10, 4-6), 4-2 using two ninth inning runs.

Murray State was held to only three hits but the pitching staff was lights out to keep Tech at bay for most of the game and allow the offense enough time to manufacture a few late runs.

Racers' Friday starter, Shane Burns, went 6.0 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out two for a no-decision.

Jacob Pennington came in in relief to pitch two complete, only giving up one hit and struck out three to earn his third win of the season.

Bryson Bloomer collected his fifth multi-hit game of the season, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs.

TTU got on the board in the first, beginning the game on three straight singles to plate one run.

Murray State strung two of their three hits together in the fourth. Jordan Cozart doubled for the Racers' first hit of the game and Brock Anderson worked one of Murray State's nine walks to put two runners on. Bloomer delivered the big blow, a two-run double to give the Racers a 2-1 lead.

Tech wasted no time getting a run back in the bottom of the frame to square it at two. The Golden Eagles threatened further with two on but Shane Burns got OVC Preseason Player of the Year, Jason Hinchman, to fly out to Ryan Perkins on the warning track in left for the final out of the inning.

Tanner Booth caught one of the OVC's top base stealers, Brett Roberts, twice, once in the third and again in the fifth. The Golden Eagles did not try to steal on Booth for the rest of the night.

The game remained deadlocked at two until the top of the ninth inning. The Racers put the first two batters on to force a TTU pitching change. Pinch hitter Seth Gardner laid down a sacrifice bunt to move runners into scoring position.

After Tech issued an intentional walk to load the bases, Alex Crump grounded to the shortstop who tried to turn two but a throwing error by the second baseman allowed a pair of runners to score for the Racers to give them a 4-2 lead.

Alec Whaley came on in the ninth and got the Golden Eagles in order to earn his first save of the season.

Murray State caps off the holiday weekend tomorrow (Apr. 2) with a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Tech's Bush Stadium.