It’s Not Yet Midnight: Murray State Extends Cinderella Run With Win Over Duke

Photo Courtesy of Murray State Athletics

The clock has not yet chimed midnight on Murray State’s Cinderella story as the Racers slugged their way past Duke, 19-9 to even the Durham Super Regional and force a winner-take-all game three on Monday. Dom Decker and Will Vierling each had four RBIs while center fielder Dustin Mercer enjoyed a four hit day. It was the fifth time in six games this postseason that Murray State has scored eight or more runs. 

The Blue Devils looked destined to punch their ticket to Omaha when AJ Gracia and Ben Miller hit back-to-back home runs in the top of the 1st to put themselves up 2-0. Gracia, who missed yesterday’s game while serving a suspension for bringing a prop onto the field last weekend against Oklahoma State, received a standing ovation from the capacity crowd before belting his solo shot over the right center field wall. 

If you haven't gotten to know Murray State baseball by now, then let's do a quick introduction. Hailing from the Missouri Valley Conference-- which has sent three straight teams to a Super Regional-- swept both the regular season and tournament titles while hitting .308 with an OPS of .928 while walking over 350 times. Their pitchers throw strikes and they play quality defense.

This Murray State team proved last week against Ole Miss and Georgia Tech that they can flat out rake. They also grind out at-bats and deliver in the clutch. That was on display almost immediately as Murray State stormed out of the gate and amassed four hits and six baserunners before Duke could even record an out. 

Carson Garner, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, talked about the team’s offensive approach.

I think it comes from this guy spending a lot of time with us,” Garner said, nodding towards his head coach. “Just having a really good approach and being disciplined and being tough. Being willing to stick your nose in there and not trying to go out there and hit home runs. It takes what it takes, whether you've got to move the baseball or you've got to hit it. It comes with the discipline of taking the balls and swinging at the strengths.”

Eight of Murray State’s nine starters had hits and every one of them reached base at least once. Five players had multi-hit days and five had multi-RBI days. Their relentless approach capitalized on Duke’s command struggles as the Racers added seven walks and two hit by pitches to their 17 hits on the day.

Yesterday’s hitting hero for Duke, Kyle Johnson, never really found a groove on the mound and ended up allowing six earned runs over three innings. His replacement, Gabe Nard, didn’t fare much better, giving up four runs in an inning of work before making way for Gavin Brown.

Duke was able to cut the deficit to 10-8 in the 6th inning thanks to a two run double by Ben Rounds and a two run blast by Macon Winslow, but the Blue Devils just couldn’t quiet the Murray State bats. The Racers put up nine runs in the 7th inning to break the game open as they started the inning stringing together hits and walks before each of their next three hits were two run extra base knocks.

Former Louisville catcher Will Vierling doubled down the right field line to extend a 13-8 lead to 15-8; Dan Tauken hit a two-run blast to make it 17-8; and nine hole hitter Connor Cunningham added another two-run homer to make it 19-8. 

“That's a huge win for these guys, for our program and for our university,” said Murray State head coach Dan Skirka following the game. “Especially the way it went about. [Duke] came out and put a couple good swings on [Isaac] Silva. And then [Jonathan] Hogart comes right back with one of the bottom in the inning. That's the story of these guys, they’re just tough as nails and always believing. And always believing in the process.”

Ben Rounds would add a solo shot off Murray State closer Graham Kellham, but it was a pretty routine three out save for the junior right-hander. Kelham, who caused Georgia Tech and Ole Miss hitters fits last weekend, looks like he’s still in form. Skirka credits Kelham’s ability to mix and match the fastball and curveball.

“It's a different pitch,” Skirka said. “Not a lot of guys throw a true curveball anymore. It gives a true deception to it. And Kellum will go 91 to 71 and that's tough to hit and tough to barrel.”

All hands will be on deck for both teams tomorrow as Duke looks to avoid going to 0-7 when one win away from Omaha. Both James Tallon and Reid Easterly will be rested and ready to come in behind starter Henry Zatkowski.