Murray State University Athletics
Friday, May 13
Murray, Ky.
5 p.m.
Murray State
vs
Western Illinois
Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics
Racers Baseball Ready for Home Series with Western Illinois
5/12/2022 6:17:00 PM | Baseball
Murray State Hosts Western Illinois for Three-Game Series Starting Friday Afternoon
Murray State (26-21) baseball set for a home nonconference swing with Western Illinois this weekend at Johnny Reagan Field in Murray, Kentucky. The Racers are 19-7 at home this season and could become just the second Ohio Valley Conference team with 20 home victories in 2022 (Southeast Missouri- 21).Â
Bryson Bloomer currently sits at third in the OVC with 56 RBIs this season as he also leads the Racers with 11 home runs on the year. Jake Slunder continues to lead Murray State with a .320 batting average to go with a team-high 63 hits. Slunder has been a terror for opponents on the base paths with 22 stolen bases in 24 attempts. The Racers have three players with at least seven home runs with Jacob Pennington and Brennan McCullough each with seven to join Bloomer's 11 home runs.Â
Hayden Wynja is coming off of the most impressive pitching performance by an MSU pitcher this season. Against Austin Peay, Wynja tossed a complete game shutout while allowing just two singles and striking out seven. The outing earned Wynja OVC Co-Pitcher of the week as the appearance was just the fifth nine-inning complete game shutout since 2008 by a Racers pitcher. Alec Whaley leads the pitching staff with 22 appearances this season with a 3.83 ERA as Jordyn Naranjo has registered 15 appearances while allowing an opponent batting average of just .215.
Scouting Report
Western Illinois enters the series at 6-39 overall while the Leathernecks are 4-26 on the road this season. WIU last played Eastern Illinois in a 7-6 loss on Tuesday (May 10).Â
Freshman Nick Mitchell leads the Leathernecks offense this season with a .340 batting average and leads WIU with 25 stolen bases and 53 hits.
Jack Bell leads the Western Illinois pitching staff with 27 appearances on the year to go with a 5.20 ERA. Bell has struck out 36 this year in 36.1 innings pitched.
First pitch of the series is set for 5 p.m. on Friday.
Bryson Bloomer currently sits at third in the OVC with 56 RBIs this season as he also leads the Racers with 11 home runs on the year. Jake Slunder continues to lead Murray State with a .320 batting average to go with a team-high 63 hits. Slunder has been a terror for opponents on the base paths with 22 stolen bases in 24 attempts. The Racers have three players with at least seven home runs with Jacob Pennington and Brennan McCullough each with seven to join Bloomer's 11 home runs.Â
Hayden Wynja is coming off of the most impressive pitching performance by an MSU pitcher this season. Against Austin Peay, Wynja tossed a complete game shutout while allowing just two singles and striking out seven. The outing earned Wynja OVC Co-Pitcher of the week as the appearance was just the fifth nine-inning complete game shutout since 2008 by a Racers pitcher. Alec Whaley leads the pitching staff with 22 appearances this season with a 3.83 ERA as Jordyn Naranjo has registered 15 appearances while allowing an opponent batting average of just .215.
Scouting Report
Western Illinois enters the series at 6-39 overall while the Leathernecks are 4-26 on the road this season. WIU last played Eastern Illinois in a 7-6 loss on Tuesday (May 10).Â
Freshman Nick Mitchell leads the Leathernecks offense this season with a .340 batting average and leads WIU with 25 stolen bases and 53 hits.
Jack Bell leads the Western Illinois pitching staff with 27 appearances on the year to go with a 5.20 ERA. Bell has struck out 36 this year in 36.1 innings pitched.
First pitch of the series is set for 5 p.m. on Friday.
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
IF/RHP
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
LHP
/ BaseballHead Coach Ryan Miller | Racer Men's Basketball | 10/13/2025 Press Conference
Tuesday, October 14
Head Coach Jody Wright | Racer Football | 10/13/2025 Press Conference
Tuesday, October 14
JJ Traynor & Javon Jackson | Racer Men's Basketball | 10/13/2025 Press Conference
Tuesday, October 14
Jordan Washington & Jim Ogle | 10/11 | Racer Football Post-game Press Conference
Monday, October 13
