Racers Overcome Seven-Run Deficit, Defeat Bellarmine 12-8

Tuesday, April 6

Murray, KY

4 p.m.

Murray State

15-12

Bellarmine

9-17

Bellarmine

Murray State

Photo by: Dan Hasko - Murray State Athletics

Racers Overcome Seven-Run Deficit, Defeat Bellarmine 12-8

4/6/2021 9:17:00 PM | Baseball

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Murray State defeated Bellarmine 12-8 in first-ever meeting

The Murray State Racers (15-12, 6-3 OVC) overcame their biggest deficit of the season, seven runs to defeat the Bellarmine Knights (9-17, 5-7 ASUN), in the very first meeting between the two programs, 12-8, as the Knights made the jump to Division I in 2020.

The Racers smashed three home runs in the game, all two-run shots. Jake Slunder slipped his homer just over the left field line wall while Brock Anderson and Tanner Booth hit no-doubters to center and left, respectively.

Alex Crump had a career-high three hits, going 3-for-4 from the DH spot with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Bryson Bloomer matched Crump's three hits and also scored one run and drove in another.

Bellarmine used two big innings to post seven runs and jump out to a 7-0 lead in the fourth.

The Racers got on the board in the bottom half of the inning as Anderson was hit-by-pitch to lead-off followed by back-to-back singles from Bloomer and Crump to plate Anderson.

The Knights added another run in the sixth but they couldn't contain the Racers offense any longer as MSU scored ten runs in next two innings.

Five consecutive Racers reached base to start the sixth, two hit-by-pitches and three singles scored four runs. Slunder capped off the inning with a two-run homer, his second of the year.

Murray State wasted no time in the seventh picking up where they left off as Anderson's ninth long ball of the season put the Racers ahead 9-8 for the first time in the night. Booth crushed a two-run shot to make it an 11-8 game.

In the eighth, the Racers manufactured a run without a hit. Slunder walked and quickly advanced around the bases, on a stolen base, a wild pitch and scored on a Jordan Cozart sac fly to center.

The Murray State pitching staff featured nine different arms. Quinton Kujawa made his first start of his Racer career, going 1.0 innings, giving up no hits and struck out two.

Malik Pogue made his Racer debut and struck out the side in the third.

Jordyn Naranjo took the victory for his second of the season.

The final three MSU pitchers of Jake Jones, Alec Whaley and Connor Holden combined for three scoreless innings, allowing one hit.

Murray State stays home this weekend to face off against Southeast Missouri for a three-game series April 9-10. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday at Johnny Reagan Field.

Friday (Apr. 9) is Players' Weekend Day as the Racers will wear special jerseys with their nicknames on them. Saturday (Apr. 10) is 2021 Senior Day, honoring the Racers' five seniors, Brock Anderson, Jonah Brannon, Jordan Cozart, Sam Gardner and Ryan Perkins.