Racers Suffer Heartbreaking 10-9 Loss in Series Finale at UCF

Sunday, March 8

Orlando, FL

11 p.m.

Murray State

10-6

UCF

9-5

Murray State

UCF

Racers Suffer Heartbreaking 10-9 Loss in Series Finale at UCF

3/8/2026 3:52:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Sam Rhodes

ORLANDO, Fla. – Despite a career performance from Anthony Perritano and holding a commanding lead late in the contest, the Murray State Racers saw a five-run advantage disappear in the final frame as UCF rallied for a 10-9 walk-off victory.

The Racers (10-6) entered the bottom of the ninth with a 9-4 lead before the Knights (9-5) surged for six runs to secure the series sweep.

Murray State enjoyed its most productive offensive day of the weekend, tallying nine hits and six extra-base hits in the loss. Anthony Perritano posted the best performance of his collegiate career by going 3-for-3 with three runs batted in and two runs scored. Perritano launched his first career home run with a 388-foot solo blast in the second inning and added a double in the seventh. He also reached base via a walk and recorded a stolen base.

Luke Mistone and Kainen Jorge also contributed doubles to the high-powered offensive effort.

Connor Chisolm provided a one-run lead in the eighth inning with a solo home run to right field. The shot was his second of the season and momentarily helped the Racers regain momentum.

Later in the eighth, Tyler Butina delivered a clutch hit with the bases loaded, clearing the bases with a double down the right-field line to extend the Murray State lead to five at the time.

The Racer pitching staff controlled much of the middle innings behind a stellar relief outing from Dylan Zentko. Zentko entered in the second inning and tossed 3.2 scoreless frames while striking out three Knights. He surrendered only five hits during his appearance and kept UCF off the board through the fifth inning.

Drew Deremer followed with three solid innings of work, allowing one run in the seventh before returning for the ninth. Reese Oakley was eventually charged with the loss after allowing three runs of his own in the final rally.

The bottom of the ninth began with three consecutive UCF batters reaching base against Deremer before Murray State turned to Oakley. UCF cut into the lead with an RBI single, which was followed by a wild pitch that allowed another run. A two-RBI single up the middle to bring the Knights within one run lead to a sacrifice bunt attempt that included a muffed throw error tied the game at nine. The Knights completed the comeback with a walk-off single to center field.

Up Next

The Racers will look to bounce back as they return to Kentucky for a midweek matchup against Kentucky State on Tuesday. The contest is scheduled to take place at McCracken County High School in Paducah, Kentucky, with the first pitch set for 3 p.m. CT.