Box ScoreMURRAY, Ky. – The Murray State offense came out swinging right from the beginning of the game. Eastern Illinois looked to keep pace with the Racers, but Murray State had an answer to every Panthers' rally and earned a win in the second game of the series by a score of 31-11. The two teams will square off tomorrow for the series finale at 1 p.m.
With the loss, Eastern Illinois falls to 4-22 (0-8 OVC), as Murray State now moves to 14-16 (5-6 OVC).
Murray State strung together four-straight singles to begin the bottom of the first inning, and took a 1-0 lead before the first out in the inning. Kipp Moore cleared the bases with a three-run triple into the left center gap, and made his way home on the next play as Tyler Dixon hit a two-run home run over the right center field fence to put the score at 6-0 after the first inning.
The Racers continued their hot hitting into the second inning. Murray State added 10 runs on seven hits in the frame against Eastern Illinois pitching.
Murray State added two runs in both the third. A pair of RBI singles in the third inning brought home both runs during the frame.
Eastern Illinois found their way into the scoring column in the top of the fourth inning.
Cale Hennemann and
Frankie Perrone recorded back-to-back doubles, as Perrone's hit brought home Hennemann.
Murray State responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Dixon led off the inning with a solo shot over the fence in right center. After a double, Cody Gilbert brought a run home with an RBI single.
The Panthers looked to chip away at the Murray State lead in the fifth inning.
Jackson Mueller came on as a pinch hitter, and was hit by a pitch to lead-off the inning.
Nick Maton brought home the first two runs in the inning for the Panthers with a home run out to right.
Jason Scholl did not leave the bases empty for long, as he was hit by the first pitch in his at-bat. Hennemann blasted a two-run home run over the right field fence for the Panthers second home run of the inning.
Murray State continued to work their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Dixon hit his second lead-off home run of the game to get the inning started. The Racers loaded the bases with just one out in the inning, as Tyler Lawrence hit a bases-clearing double to drive home three runs to put the score at 24-5.
Three-straight doubles by Scholl,
Demetre Taylor, and Hennemann started an Eastern Illinois rally in the top of the seventh inning. With two runs already scored in the inning,
Hunter Morris capped off the scoring with a two-run blast out to right center to bring home Hennemann.
The Panthers had their final scoring opportunity in the top of the eighth inning. Maton reached on an error by the Murray State shortstop and moved up to second as Scholl was hit by a pitch. Taylor singled through the left side to bring home Maton. After another Murray State error in the inning, Perrone reached on a fielder's choice to bring home another run for EIU.
After putting up six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, Murray State added another run to their total in the bottom of the eighth inning. Dixon hit his third lead-off home run of the game to add another run for Murray State as the score ended at 31-11.
Matt Wivinis (0-6) took the loss for the Panthers in his one inning of work.
Hennemann and Taylor led the offense at the plate for EIU as the two both finished at 3-for-5. Maton and Perrone were the only other Panthers who recorded multiple hits.
