Racers Walk off Game One Against Western Illinois

Friday, March 7

Johnny Reagan Field

3 p.m.

Murray State

8-1

Western Illinois

2-7

Leathernecks

Murray State

Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics

3/7/2025 7:28:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Murray State gets their fifth late inning comeback win of 2025 in opener versus Western Illinois

By: Jack Sargent

The Murray State Baseball team took the series opener versus Western Illinois in walk off fashion Friday. Dan Tauken was the walk-off hero for the Racers, when in the ninth inning the senior from New York singled to right to score Conner Cunningham and give the Racers the 10-9 victory. The win was MSU's fifth come from behind victory after trailing in the eighth inning or later this season.

Tauken's single was part of a three hit and five RBI afternoon for the second year Racer. Tauken also provided the game tying hit with a two-run single in the eighth inning to make the score 9-9.

Will Vierling added his team leading fifth home run, with a seventh inning three run home run to cut an 8-3 lead to 8-6.

Dustin Mercer reached base in five of his six plate appearances on Friday. The graduate out of Weddington, N.C., singled twice, including an eighth inning base hit to trim a 9-6 lead by one and set up Dan Tauken's game tying single.

Conner Cunningham was on base four times for MSU, with two hits and two walks. The freshman out of Batesville, Ark., scored three runs including the winning run in the ninth inning.

Harper McLendon earned the win for MSU. The redshirt junior from Georgia threw two innings in relief allowing just one run with three strike outs.

The Racers will be back in Saturday afternoon at 2PM. Saturday will mark Murray State Baseball's Senior Day. The Murray State Baseball team will recognize the contributions of ten seniors to the Murray State Baseball program. Senior day ceremonies will begin at 1:30.

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