Racers Take Game One Over Valpo

Friday, March 18

Murray, Ky.

3 p.m.

Murray State

12-4

Valparaiso

5-8

Valpo

Murray State

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

3/18/2022 9:04:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Murray State Defeated the Beacons 8-2 Behind a Strong Start from Hayden Wynja

Murray State (12-4) baseball took their game over Valparaiso 8-2 on Friday afternoon at Johnny Reagan Field in Murray, Kentucky. The Racers now sit at 12-0 at home this season and following today's matchup are 3-0 against future Missouri Valley opponents this season.

Hayden Wynja toed the rubber for Murray State and dominated the game going 6.0 innings pitched while allowing two runs (zero earned) and striking out nine Beacon hitters. The Indianapolis, Indiana native improved to 1-1 on the year before beginning OVC play next weekend. Jordyn Naranjo earned the save in relief after tossed three scoreless innings in relief while allowing no hits and walking just one. The Clinton, Ky. native has now thrown 10.2 scoreless innings this season for the Racers in six appearances.

The Murray State bats continued to impress as they have for much of the year with four of their eight hits being of the extra-base variety. Brennan McCullough mashed his third home run of the season over the right-center field wall for a solo shot in the fourth inning. Seth Gardner provided some excitement in the seventh inning with an inside-the-park home run that ricocheted off the center field fence allowing the redshirt junior to scamper around the bases. The inside-the-park home run from Gardner is just the third in recent memory at MSU following Tyler Owen in 2009 and current Racers outfielder Jake Slunder in 2021.

Murray State and Valpo will meet again on Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at 12 pm. All matchups between the Racers and Beacons can be viewed on ESPN+