Racers Rally Late to Best Cougars

Friday, March 18

Reagan Field

4 p.m.

Murray State

9-11, 2-2

SIUE

1-13, 0-4

SIU Edwardsville

Murray State

Photo by: Donnie Paschall

3/18/2016 7:29:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

The Murray State baseball team scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to rally for a 6-4 victory Friday night at Reagan Field over SIU Edwardsville. The win moves the Racers to 2-2 in OVC play, both conference victories this season have featured late rallies.

The Racers (9-11, 2-2 OVC) collected four hits, drew a walk and were hit by a pitch in the four-run inning which began with a Tyler Lawrence leadoff single. Ramsey Scott was hit-by-pitch the next batter and a Caleb Hicks single up the middle loaded the bases for MSU with no one out. A bases-loaded walk from Cody Gilbert scored Lawrence to make it 4-3 in favor of the Cougars (1-13, 0-4 OVC). Kipp Moore brought in the game-tying run after he reached on a fielder's choice, beating out a double play. Hicks would come around to score the winning run on a wild pitch the next at-bat, making it 5-4.

Cody Hall's single through the right side scored Moore and gave the Racers an insurance run. Hall, who came in as a replacement in the seventh inning, went 2-for-2 with an RBI and stolen base off the bench. Those were the first two hits of his career.

The Cougars scored the first three runs of the game with a three-run top of the fifth. MSU was able to cut the deficit to 3-2 on a two-RBI single to left field from Adam Bauer in the bottom half of the inning. SIUE was able to score another run in the sixth to push its lead back to two runs at 4-2.

Hall and Hicks each led the Racers with two hits while Moore scored twice to lead the way in that category. MSU out-hit the Cougars 9-6 in the game while both teams committed two errors each.

Derrik Watson picked up the win in relief for the Racers as he pitched a good three innings out of the bullpen to keep MSU within striking distance. Watson allowed one run on three hits while striking out three batters in his appearance. Sheldon Baxter pitched the ninth and recorded the save, his first of the year. Baxter struck-out one and didn't allow a baserunner to reach.

Jack Hranec got the start on the hill for MSU and pitched five innings, allowing three runs on three hits while walking and striking out four batters each. SIUE starter PJ Schuster went seven strong innings, allowing two runs, both unearned, on five hits and struck-out seven.

The Racers and Cougars continue their three-game series Saturday at Reagan Field. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m., weather permitting.