Statement Win! The Racers Take Down No. 24 Kentucky

Tuesday, March 18

Lexington, KY.

5:30 p.m.

Murray State

13-4

Kentucky

14-5

Murray State

Kentucky

Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics

3/18/2025 10:58:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Murray State upsets No. 24 ranked Kentucky.

By: Jack Sargent

The Murray State Baseball team (13-4, 0-0 MVC) took down No. 24 Kentucky (14-5, 1-2 SEC), Tuesday afternoon in Lexington, Ky. 5-4. This was Murray State's first win against the Kentucky since Mar. 16 2021 when the Racers beat the Wildcats, 13-8.

The Racers jumped out to an early third inning lead thanks to an RBI single by Dustin Mercer and sacrifice fly by Dan Tauken. Mercer's single extended his on base streak to 17 games, the North Carolina native has now reached base in every game this season.

Carson Garner extended the lead to 3-0 with a solo home run in the fourth inning. That home run was his 34th career big fly, which places him in a tie for sixth place all time in Murray State history.

Will Vierling extended his own on base streak to 14 games. The junior from Wisconsin provided the Racers a much-needed insurance run in the sixth inning with a single that extended the Racers lead to 4-1.

Kentucky would tie the game in the bottom of the sixth but the Racers retook the lead in the eighth inning. With runners at second and third and one out, freshman Conner Cunningham lifted a fly ball to center field to drive in Carson Garner with a go ahead sacrifice fly.

Dustin Mercer made his impact known on the defensive side of the ball Tuesday evening too. The redshirt senior recorded two outfield assists in the contest, the latter being a critical throw to cut down the potential tying run at the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning on a short fly ball to right center field.

Derek Lebron earned the win for Murray State. The first year Racer from Rosedale, Ind. pitched a perfect seventh inning with a pair of strikeouts.

Newly minted Missouri Valley Conference All-Preseason pitcher Dylan Zentko earned the save for Murray State. The junior from Brazil, Ind. recorded a six out save without allowing a hit in two innings.

The Racers improve to 6-24 all-time against the Wildcats.

Murray State now returns home to Johnny Reagan Field for the start of MVC play this weekend against the Evansville Purple Aces (5-15, 0-0 MVC) on Friday in Murray, Ky. MSU swept the series from the Purple Aces last year in Evansville, Ind. Evansville holds the all-time series edge 35-20.

This weekend's series will stream live on ESPN+. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 5PM.

For more information on the Murray State Baseball team, visit GoRacers.com and follow @RacersBaseball on Twitter and Instagram.