Racers Host SEMO For Second Midweek Matchup

Date (Time): Apr. 16 (3 p.m. CT)
Site (Venue): Murray, Ky. (Reagan Field)
Opponent: Southeast Missouri Redhawks
TV: N/A
Live Stats/Radio: GoRacers.com
All-Time Record vs. SEMO: 62-71-1

The Racers are slated for their second midweek clash of the season with the Southeast Missouri Redhawks on Tuesday, April 16 at 3 p.m. CT at Reagan Field in Murray, Kentucky.

Murray State fell to SEMO on February 21 at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau, Missouri by a score of 8-7. The Racers trailed by three entering the ninth inning of their previous matchup, attempting a comeback but came up a run short after scoring just two in the final frame.

MSU looks to keep their momentum as winners in four of their last seven games, as well as aiming to avoid a two-game series sweep with the Redhawks by capitalizing in front of the home crowd on Tuesday.

Scouting Report
The Redhawks enter Tuesday's game with an 18-18 record and boast an 8-4 record in OVC play. SEMO has won four of their last five contests, including a midweek win at Southern Illinois and a series win over Southern Indiana.

The Redhawks are led by head coach Andy Sawyers, who is in his eighth year at the helm of the Southeast Missouri baseball program. Sawyers, native of Willits, California, has amassed a 199-188 record since his arrival to Cape Girardeau in 2017. He recorded back-to-back 30-win seasons in 2021 and 2022.

SEMO is led offensively by Michael Mugan and Ben Palmer. Mugan has played in all 36 games for the Redhawks this season, posting a team-best .336 batting average, leads the team with 50 base hits and 84 total bases, and is tied for the team's most RBIs with Ty Stauss and Bryce Cannon with 31.

Palmer leads the team with 11 homers and is tied with Mugan for the second-most runs scored with 33 apiece.

The Redhawks' pitching staff has been led by Sam Heyman, Haden Dow and Brian Strange, who all have at least eight starts on the mound. Dow leads the team with 41 strikeouts through 44 1/3 innings. Heyman carries the best ERA among pitchers on the team with at least 36 innings recorded at 4.10 through 37 1/3 innings of work. The pitching trio has combined for 100 strikeouts in 2024.

Weekly Notes
Murray State was one of three schools in The Valley to pick up a conference series win on the road. Since their arrival to the MVC, the Racers are 4-2 against Southern Illinois and have won six of their last nine contests. With Sunday's win over the Salukis, head coach Dan Skirka earned his 150th career win as a head coach, all of which have come in his tenure leading the Racers baseball program.

In the national rankings, Murray State is among the top 75 in base hits (347), home runs (57), runs scored (269), runs per game (7.7), slugging percentage (.488), strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.43), WHIP (1.42) and walks allowed per nine innings (3.43), all of which are also among the top five in The Valley.

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

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