Murray State University Athletics

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics
Racers Outlast Purple Aces in Pitcher's Duel
5/17/2022 8:25:00 PM | Baseball
Shane Burns and Alec Whaley Combined for a Gem In 3-2 Win Over Evansville
Murray State (29-22) baseball outdueled Evansville 3-2 on Tuesday night at German American Bank Field in Evansville, Indiana. The win gives MSU six wins over future Missouri Valley Conference opponents this season.
Shane Burns impressed for the Racers on the mound going 7.0+ innings pitched while allowing just three hits and two runs in the performance. The left-hander worked efficiently throwing just 86 pitches while grabbing four strikeouts and walking just one. Burns moves to 4-0 on the year with the win over the Purple Aces.Â
Alec Whaley earned the six-out save after working out of a jam in the eighth inning. The MSU all-time appearances leader left two Evansville runners on first and second base after a strikeout, a pop-up to second base, and a ground ball to shortstop ended the inning. Whaley then tossed a perfect ninth with three flyouts to secure the win.Â
The MSU offense did all of their scoring in the fourth inning. Jake Slunder and Jordan Holly got the first hits of the game with back-to-back bunt singles before Bryson Bloomer walked. Drew Vogel then drove in Slunder and Holly with a two-RBI single up the middle. Seth Gardner would drive in the go-ahead run with a single to left field.
Slunder and Holly led Murray State with two hits apiece. Bloomer drove a triple in the contest for his 25th extra-base hit of the season.Â
Game Notes
Murray State now sets its sights on Tennessee Tech for the final series of the regular season. The Racers and Golden Eagles are set for a three-game series beginning on Thursday at 5 p.m.
Shane Burns impressed for the Racers on the mound going 7.0+ innings pitched while allowing just three hits and two runs in the performance. The left-hander worked efficiently throwing just 86 pitches while grabbing four strikeouts and walking just one. Burns moves to 4-0 on the year with the win over the Purple Aces.Â
Alec Whaley earned the six-out save after working out of a jam in the eighth inning. The MSU all-time appearances leader left two Evansville runners on first and second base after a strikeout, a pop-up to second base, and a ground ball to shortstop ended the inning. Whaley then tossed a perfect ninth with three flyouts to secure the win.Â
The MSU offense did all of their scoring in the fourth inning. Jake Slunder and Jordan Holly got the first hits of the game with back-to-back bunt singles before Bryson Bloomer walked. Drew Vogel then drove in Slunder and Holly with a two-RBI single up the middle. Seth Gardner would drive in the go-ahead run with a single to left field.
Slunder and Holly led Murray State with two hits apiece. Bloomer drove a triple in the contest for his 25th extra-base hit of the season.Â
Game Notes
- Murray State now has six wins over future MVC foes this season
- Shane Burns impressed while allowing just two runs in seven innings pitched
- The Racers have now won six of their last seven games with Evansville
- With one more win, Murray State can secure the first back-to-back 30 win seasons since 1975-76
Murray State now sets its sights on Tennessee Tech for the final series of the regular season. The Racers and Golden Eagles are set for a three-game series beginning on Thursday at 5 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Burns, Shane (4-0)
L: Schultz, Donovan (2-2)
S: Whaley, Alec (4)

Batting:
3B: Bloomer, Bryson 1
RBI: Vogel, Drew 2 ; Gardner, Seth 1
SH: Mercer, Dustin 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Slunder, Jake 1 ; Holly, Jordan 1 ; Bloomer, Bryson 1

Batting:
HR: Craig, Tanner 1
RBI: Craig, Tanner 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Shallenberger, Mark 1 ; Craig, Tanner 1
HBP: Berkey, Evan 1
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Head Coach Ryan Miller | Racer Mens Basketball | 10/20 Press Conference
Monday, October 20
KJ Tenner & Brayden Shorter | Racer Mens Basketball | 10/20 Press Conference
Monday, October 20
Head Coach Jody Wright | Racer Football Post Game Press Conference | 10/18
Monday, October 20
Head Coach Ryan Miller | Racer Men's Basketball | 10/13/2025 Press Conference
Tuesday, October 14