Racers Take Series Opener Over Bradley

Thursday, May 16

Peoria, Ill.

6 p.m.

Murray State

34-18, 0

Bradley

13-34-1, 0

Murray St.

Bradley

Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics

5/16/2024 9:33:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Cade Vernon secured his MVC-leading ninth win of the season.

By: Drew Parsley

The Racers took Game 1 of the weekend series against the Bradley Braves, 9-3, on Thursday at Dover Park in Peoria, Illinois. With Thursday's win, Murray State extends their winning streak to six games.

After both teams were scoreless through the first four innings of the game, Bradley scored the first run of the day in the home half of the fifth on an RBI single. Murray State answered back in the top of the sixth with six runs to take the lead.

Parker Estes started the sixth with a leadoff single before advancing to third on a double hit to the right-field corner by Dustin Mercer. Carson Garner drove in both runners with a base hit to the right-center gap to put the Racers ahead 2-1. After Garner stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch, Jonathan Hogart belted his 12th homer of the season to push the Racers lead to three runs.

Dan Tauken then drew a walk and advanced to third on Taylor Howell's double before Riley Hawthorne drove them in with a two-run double down the left field line to give the Racers a 6-1 lead. The lead was pushed to six runs in the seventh after Garner drove in Drew Vogel on a fielder's choice.

Bradley added a run in the bottom of the seventh on a sacrifice fly, but Ethan Krizen matched it with a sacrifice fly of his own to give Murray State an 8-2 lead. Mercer gave the Racers another run with his own sacrifice fly to make it 9-2 heading to the bottom of the ninth, when Bradley capped off their scoring with a run scored on a fielder's choice to make it 9-3.

Cade Vernon picked up his ninth win of the season, moving him into a tie for the fourth-most wins in a season in program history. The senior tossed 6 2/3 innings allowing two runs on eight hits with no walks and six strikeouts. Mercer notched a three-hit day with a double and a run scored. Howell also picked up a multi-hit day with a double and a run.

The second game of the series is set for Friday, May 16 at 11 a.m. CT at Dozer Park in Peoria.

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