Box ScoreMURRAY, Ky. – Murray State jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first two innings played, as Eastern Illinois overtook the lead in the middle innings, but it was the Racers who regained the lead and added four runs in the final two innings to take the series opener 9-4 over the Panthers. Murray State and Eastern Illinois will continue their series with game two tomorrow at 2 p.m.
With the win, Murray State moves to 13-16 (4-6 OVC), as Eastern Illinois drops to 4-21 (0-7 OVC).
Murray State took an early lead on the Panthers with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Racers scored their first run off of a wild pitch by EIU starter
Michael McCormick and added their second run of the inning following an RBI double by Jack Hranec.
Murray State extended their lead in the bottom of the third inning. After back-to-back singles to lead-off the inning, a double play groundout moved a runner up to third base. Adam Bauer scored on the next play by ways of another McCormick wild pitch to put the score at 3-0.
Eastern Illinois closed the gap with a fourth inning rally.
Joseph Duncan beat out an infield single, but was erased on the next play as
Nick Maton reached on a fielder's choice.
Jason Scholl singled through the right side to put runners at the corners for the Panthers.
Demetre Taylor brought home Maton with an RBI single. After
Mitch Gasbarro walked to load the bases,
Cale Hennemann worked a free pass of his own and brought home a run as the Panthers pulled within one at 3-2.
The Panthers overtook the lead with a two-run fifth inning.
Dane Toppel and Duncan started the inning with back-to-back singles. The pair moved up to second and third following a sacrifice bunt. Taylor came up with another key hit for the Panthers, as he singled up the middle to bring home both EIU runners.
The lead did not last long for Eastern Illinois however, as Murray State regained the lead with two runs in the bottom half of the frame. Ramsey Scott hit a two-run single of his own up the middle to give Murray State the 5-4 lead.
The Racers added to their lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. A pair of walks to start the inning came back to hurt the Panthers. A walk to Scott loaded the bases for the home team with just one out in the inning. Caleb Hicks brought home two runs with a single up the middle.
Murray State tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning with the help of a Tyler Lawrence two-run double into center field to seal a 9-4 win in the opener.
McCormick (0-4) took the loss for the Panthers, allowing seven runs (six earned) on nine hits in six innings of work.
Jake Haberer,
Ben Hughes, and
Hunter Clark combined to pitch two scoreless innings of relief.
Taylor led the offense in the series opening going 2-for-3 and driving in three runs. Duncan was the only other Panther to record multiple hits as he finished 2-for-5.
