Our Time With The Racers

By Mark Garland

What a season it has been for the Murray State Racers! One for the books, for sure, and one hopefully to remember in Men's College World Series lore.

A first time trip to Omaha for the program and head coach Dan Skirka, plus a memorable one for the players, staff, family, and fans. On the losing side of a historic performance? Yes, but while it was not the result Racers faithful hoped for, it's hard not to be proud of this team, and for so many other reasons outside of baseball.

(College Baseball Central photo by Reggie Wortman)

You could call it a Cinderella story; I for one do not. After getting to see this team for the past three weeks and talking with players and staff here in Omaha, it is a different story.

One of brotherhood, and belief in one another. A team that knew its identity and bought in with unwavering intent. There were 28 new players added to the roster in the off-season, and Coach Skirka and staff had them all bought-in to win the Missouri Valley Conference. And they did, actually twice, as regular season co-champion and tournament winner as well.

Once meeting Goal One, an improbable run began by beating Ole Miss (twice) and Georgia Tech to win the Oxford Regional, in the final fending off a furious late Rebel rally that saw a nine-run lead shrink to one at game's end.

Then, they traveled to Durham to beat a very good Duke team twice to take the Super Regional, this time having to encore their celebration after a review reversed a final-out call in the bottom of the 9th. They faced elimination in both of the decisive one-run games, but with a belief in one another and an unmatched determination to do it for the guy next to you, the Racers emerged victorious each time.

(College Baseball Central photo by Reggie Wortman)

The Road to Omaha is not always the easiest path, but it is navigable by those who possess the mental strength and endurance to triumph through adversity. This aligns with and describes so many of the players in this program, as I heard story after story of guys who thought they were done in their playing careers but got another chance.

Like Jonathan Hogart, who between injuries and other detours, found his way to Murray State to give it one more ride. Like Dustin Mercer, who battled back from injuries and struggles to find a place in the Racers lineup. The stories of so many of these guys were true feats of overcoming adversity in life.

While college baseball is just a game more and more of us are watching, sometimes it just means so much more. Coach Skirka is both a coach I would want to play for, and would also feel very good about sending my kid to play for. He molds the physically talented into better student athletes, ball players, and admirable young men. Life is hard, and not always fair, but Coach and his staff prepare these guys for the world beyond baseball.

(College Baseball Central photo by Reggie Wortman)

When speaking to the players, they all expressed how awesome it was to still be playing, while so many of their peers and former competitors are not. Of living the dream of getting to play baseball with their best friends deep into June, well past graduations and the end of the school year. The opportunity to add lifelong memories for three more weeks.

When I asked what they would miss most about this season concluding, it was staying in hotels with buddies, making memories, practices with teammates and coaches, getting to compete while playing the game we all love.

While the Division 1 college baseball season ends in defeat for all but one, I have a hard time believing this Racers team is not full of winners. Whatever these student athletes do in life, I will wish them the best of luck, even though after getting to know them, I doubt luck will have anything to do with their further success.

Thank you Murray State, for allowing all of us in the college baseball community to take this three week ride with you. It might be a team that in time just blends into the record books to some, but I will never forget my time with the 2025 Racers.

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