Murray State University Athletics
Mercer, Vogel Tabbed With Preseason All-Conference Honors
2/6/2024 11:47:00 AM | Baseball
Murray State begins the 2024 campaign fourth in the preseason rankings.
Redshirt juniors Drew Vogel and Dustin Mercer were named to the 2024 Preseason Missouri Valley All-Conference team, the league office announced Tuesday morning. The Racers also were fourth place in the MVC preseason poll.
Murray State is coming off a 31-28 record in the 2023 season, seeing a semifinal appearance in the team's inaugural Missouri Valley campaign.
The Racers' key returners include Logan Bland, Taylor Howell, Dustin Mercer, and Drew Vogel. Bland and Vogel return as anchors of MSU's middle infield, with Mercer behind them as the centerpiece for Murray State's outfield.
Howell returns as an option behind the plate and at first base but showcased his slugging abilities last year, leading the team with 12 home runs and bringing in 34 RBIs. Mercer (First Team) and Vogel (Second Team) were both named to the MVC's All-Conference team in 2023.
Bryce Valero, Cade Vernon, and Jacob Pennington return as the Racers' key rotation pitching starters. The trio combined for 214 strikeouts in 225 innings pitched with Valero leading the team with a 4.02 ERA, ranking the sixth-lowest in the conference last year.
Pennington was among the MVC's leaders in opposing batting average and innings pitched. Valero and Vernon each finished the season among the MVC's top 10 in strikeouts; Vernon recorded the seventh-most with 75 and Valero in ninth with 71.
MSU will open up the season on February 16 to face Purdue Fort Wayne in a three-game series at Johnny Reagan Field in Murray, Kentucky.
For more information on the Murray State baseball program, visit GoRacers.com or @RacersBaseball on Instagram and X.
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Murray State is coming off a 31-28 record in the 2023 season, seeing a semifinal appearance in the team's inaugural Missouri Valley campaign.
The Racers' key returners include Logan Bland, Taylor Howell, Dustin Mercer, and Drew Vogel. Bland and Vogel return as anchors of MSU's middle infield, with Mercer behind them as the centerpiece for Murray State's outfield.
Howell returns as an option behind the plate and at first base but showcased his slugging abilities last year, leading the team with 12 home runs and bringing in 34 RBIs. Mercer (First Team) and Vogel (Second Team) were both named to the MVC's All-Conference team in 2023.
Bryce Valero, Cade Vernon, and Jacob Pennington return as the Racers' key rotation pitching starters. The trio combined for 214 strikeouts in 225 innings pitched with Valero leading the team with a 4.02 ERA, ranking the sixth-lowest in the conference last year.
Pennington was among the MVC's leaders in opposing batting average and innings pitched. Valero and Vernon each finished the season among the MVC's top 10 in strikeouts; Vernon recorded the seventh-most with 75 and Valero in ninth with 71.
MSU will open up the season on February 16 to face Purdue Fort Wayne in a three-game series at Johnny Reagan Field in Murray, Kentucky.
For more information on the Murray State baseball program, visit GoRacers.com or @RacersBaseball on Instagram and X.
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Players Mentioned
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