Racers and Beacons Split Saturday Doubleheader

Saturday, March 19

Murray, Ky.

12 p.m.

Murray State

12-5

Valparaiso

6-8

Valpo

Murray State

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

3/19/2022 6:04:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Valparaiso Took Game One by a Score of 7-2, While the Racers Took Game Two 5-1

After taking game one of the series on Friday, Murray State (12-5) dropped the first game of the Saturday doubleheader 7-2 before taking a 5-1 victory in game two at Johnny Reagan Field in Murray, Kentucky. The Racers 12-game home winning streak was the third-longest in Murray State history and the longest since 1965 when they won 20 in a row at home.

Game 1

The Valpo pitching staff limited the Racers offense for much of the contest, allowing just three MSU hits. Jake Slunder, Brennan McCullough, and Cade Sammons each collected a hit in the game while McCullough and Seth Gardner scored the two runs for Murray State.

Cade Vernon got the start for MSU, going 3.1 innings while allowing four runs and striking out three. Jacob Pennington was the first arm out of the Racer bullpen and went 3.2 innings on the mound while allowing just one earned run and striking out one. Ryan Fender tossed 0.2 scoreless to close out game one for Murray State.

Game 2

The Racers were able to flip the script in game two, posting 11 hits and plating five runs in the victory. Shortstop Drew Vogel led MSU with a 3-4 day, including two triples for the 16^th multi-triple game in MSU history. Bryson Bloomer went 2-2 in the contest with two RBIs and a run scored. Graduate second baseman Jordan Holly continued to shine from the ninth spot in the lineup with two more hits in the game. Holly is now batting .362 on the year with five doubles.

Shane Burns picked up the win, going 4.2 innings while allowing just one earned run and striking out four. Burns now holds a 2.40 ERA in 15.0 innings pitched on the year. Graduate pitcher Alec Whaley made his 90^th career appearance at MSU and went 2.1 scoreless innings to close out the victory for the Racers.

Murray State and Valpo will be back in action on Sunday for a single game starting at 1 pm. Coverage of the matchup can be found on ESPN+