Racers Drop Second Game Of Series To Redbirds

Saturday, April 27

Murray, Ky.

5 p.m.

Murray State

25-17, 0

Illinois State

21-19, 0

Illinois State

Murray State

Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics

4/27/2024 9:38:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Murray State faces Illinois State for the rubber match on Sunday, April 28 at 1 p.m. CT.

By: Drew Parsley

The Racers fell to the Illinois State Redbirds, 11-8, on Saturday at Reagan Field in Murray, Kentucky.

Murray State took to the scoreboard first with an RBI groundout from Carson Garner after Drew Vogel led off with a double then advanced to third on a flyout. The Redbirds answered with a solo homer in the second to tie the game.

In the home half of the second, Riley Hawthorne gave the Racers the lead back with an RBI base hit to center, scoring Dan Tauken after he led off the frame with a triple. Illinois State then scored seven unanswered runs in the third and fourth innings to take an 8-2 lead on three RBI singles, a two-run double, a run on a double play and a bases-loaded walk.

Tauken ripped a base hit down the left field line to cut into the deficit before Vogel made it a three-run game in the sixth with a two-run homer for his 12th long ball of the year. Jonathan Hogart then brought the Racers to within two runs with his own RBI knock to center.

The Redbirds extended their lead to four on another solo homer and a run scored on a fielder's choice in the eighth, and added the insurance run with an RBI base hit in the ninth. Murray State's scoring was halted after a pair of RBI singles from Tauken and Hawthorne made it a 10-8 game entering the ninth.

The Racers return to Reagan Field for a rubber match with Illinois State at 21 p.m. on Sunday, April 28 in Murray, Kentucky.

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