The Murray State ‘Breds will face off against the Canisius College Golden Griffins Friday in game one of a three game series at home.
This is the first time the team has faced Canisius College. This game also marks the first time in history the ‘Breds have gone up against a team from New York and from the Metro Atlantic Conference.
The ‘Breds are coming of a tough loss on Tuesday against the No. 8 ranked University of Kentucky. Though the game was delayed three hours due to rain, Murray State came out strong scoring four runs in the first two innings. UK also came out swinging taking the lead in the third inning 5-4.
The score would stay the same for three more innings, until UK used a high scoring seventh inning to solidify the win. The Wildcats scored six more runs making the score 11-4.
Murray State tried to rally in the ninth inning when senior Noah Zipko drove in senior Brandon Elliott for an unearned run. However on the next play, Freshman Taylor Mathews struck out swinging to end the game.
Though Murray State’s last game was a loss, the ‘Breds are in a four-game winning streak at home. The ‘Breds destroyed Mid-Continent 19-2 on Feb. 19 and swept Bowling Green last weekend.
In all of the games the ‘Breds have used first inning runs and high scoring late innings to come away with the win. Lead off hitter Ty Stetson has scored in the first inning in four of the five games. He is hitting .290 and is leading the team in slugging percentage with .419. The team overall is hitting .287, averaging 6.3 runs per game, has a 6.56 ERA and a fielding percentage of .970.
Game one starts at 2 p.m. Friday. The ‘Breds will send senior Will Handlin to the mound to take on Canisius pitcher, junior Garrett Cortright.