Racers Clinch Sweep Over Little Rock

Sunday, March 17

Murray, Ky.

1 p.m.

Murray State

14-6

Little Rock

11-9

Little Rock

Murray State

Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics

3/17/2024 5:39:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Murray State swung big with three home runs in Sunday’s win over the Trojans.

By: Drew Parsley

The Racers kept their undefeated streak at home alive with a 10-8 victory over the Little Rock Trojans at Reagan Field on Sunday in Murray, Kentucky.

Murray State extended its home winning streak to 11 games, and with the three home runs on the day they extend their streak to 13-straight games with a home run by a Racer.

The Trojans jumped ahead in the third with two runs scored off a double and a sacrifice fly. MSU responded right back with a two-run home run by Parker Estes, his second of the season. Dustin Mercer gave the Racers their first lead with an RBI single to score Drew Vogel after Vogel sliced a double down the right field line.

The back-and-forth continued between the two programs in the fifth inning when Little Rock scored two more on an RBI groundout and a fielder's choice. Vogel responded with a solo home run, his sixth of the year, that sailed over the batter's eye in center field to tie the game 4-4. Jonathan Hogart gave the Racers the lead back with an RBI double to the right-center field gap to score Mercer. Dan Tauken capped off the fifth with a sacrifice fly, scoring Hogart.

The Trojans continued to fight back with a four-spot in the sixth inning, scoring on an RBI groundout and a three-run homer to give them an 8-6 lead. Later in the bottom of the frame Hogart came up clutch for the Racers, tying the game at 8 with a two-run shot over the left field fence.

The duo of Kane Elmy and Thomas Mcnabb held Little Rock without a run in the seventh and eighth innings, giving the Racers offense a chance to capitalize. In the bottom of the eighth Preston Shelton and Mercer picked up base hits and advanced on a wild pitch, bringing Carson Garner up with runners on second and third.

On a full count with two outs in the inning, Garner delivered with a base hit up the middle to score Shelton and Mercer for the go-ahead runs. Nathan Holler closed the door on Little Rock in the ninth to earn his third save of the year, securing the win and the series sweep for Murray State.

Mcnabb earned his first win of the year, tossing 1 1/3 innings allowing no runs on no hits with a strikeout. Shelton, Mercer, Hogart and Vogel all recorded multi-run and multi-hit games. Hogart led the team with three RBIs on the day. Vogel leads the team with 11 multi-hit games so far this season.

Hogart (20), Garner (11) and Howell (10) all extended their reached-base streaks.

Murray State turns its attention to opening Missouri Valley Conference play on the road at Evansville on March 22-24 at Charles H. Braun Stadium in Evansville, Indiana.

For more information on the Murray State baseball program, visit GoRacers.com or @RacersBaseball on Instagram and X.