Big Bats & Strong Pitching Lead Racers to First Win of 2023

Saturday, February 18

Jacksonville, FL

1 p.m.

Murray State

1-1

North Florida

1-1

Murray State

North Florida

Big Bats & Strong Pitching Lead Racers to First Win of 2023

2/18/2023 7:14:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Murray State Baseball took their first win of the season following Carson Garner’s big day

Murray State Baseball (1-1) earned their first win of the season with sophomore third baseman Carson Garner leading the offense, with a double and a three-run home run, to an 11-3 win over North Florida on Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla.

Garner highlights a Racers offense that went for 13 hits on the day. Dustin Mercer earned two hits on the day including a double with Seth Gardner, Taylor Howell and Cade Sammons all having multi-hit days as well. Ethan Krizen added a double on the day while handling the catching duties defensively. Eight different Racer batters earned a hit on the day while Gardner added the first stolen base of the season for MSU.

The Racers were also able to display some strong plate discipline while drawing six walks on the day.

On the mound, Cade Vernon and Bryce Valero each had solid outings for MSU. In his first start of the season, Vernon earned the win and went 5.0 innings pitched while allowing just three hits and striking out seven. The junior allowed just two walks and two earned runs in the outing while throwing 72 pitches.

Valero had a memorable first appearance as a Racer while going 4.0 innings pitched and allowing just one unearned run. The right-hander struck out seven in his MSU debut while walking just two.

Murray State's 11 runs is their most since April 29, 2022 when they scored 12 in a win over SIUE
Carson Garner hit his first home run of 2023 and the sixth of his career in the game
The Racers had 13 hits overall and five extra-base hits in the matchup
Cade Vernon and Bryce Valero combined for 14 strikeouts on the mound for MSU

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Racer Baseball Announces 2025 Fall Schedule

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Friday, August 29

Next Event

North Florida

L, 7-17

Feb 19 (Sun)

12 p.m.

Box Score Recap Box Score (PDF)Watch Preview Live stats History

Full Schedule

Team Stats

Pitching:

W: Vernon, Cade (1-0)

L: ROCA, Tony (0-1)

S: Valero, Bryce (1)

Murray State

Batting:

2B: Mercer, Dustin 1 ; Howell, Taylor 1 ; Garner, Carson 1 ; Lyke, Ethan 1

HR: Garner, Carson 1

RBI: Hawthorne, Riley 1 ; Mercer, Dustin 1 ; Howell, Taylor 2 ; Garner, Carson 3 ; Sammons, Cade 1 ; Lyke, Ethan 1

SH: Gardner, Seth 1

Base Running:

RUNS: Hawthorne, Riley 1 ; Mercer, Dustin 1 ; Howell, Taylor 1 ; Gardner, Seth 2 ; Garner, Carson 3 ; Bland, Logan 1 ; Sammons, Cade 1 ; Lyke, Ethan 1