Story by Keith Jaco
Staff writer
rjaco@murraystate.edu
Fueled by a five-run first inning, Murray State baseball picked up its first win under new Head Coach Dan Skirka over the University of Memphis on Wednesday, Feb. 20.
The Racers used a pair of first-inning home runs to take a commanding five-run lead over the Tigers.
Junior first baseman Ryan Perkins kicked off the game with a solo blast to take a 1-0 lead. Following a fly-out and strikeout, Murray State strung together a four-run two-out rally thanks to a three-run home run from junior outfielder Sean Darmafall.
The Tigers answered the Racers with one run of their own in the home half of the first, scoring on a fielder’s choice and bringing the deficit to four.
Perkins added another run for the Racers in the top of the third with a two-out RBI single scoring Darmafall. Memphis answered once again, scoring one run on a two-out RBI double from junior infielder Alec Trela. After three innings of play, the Racers held a 6-2 lead over the Tigers.
Memphis kept its same scoring pace heading into the bottom of the fourth, adding a run to cut the Murray State lead to 6-3.
The Racers tacked on three more runs in the top of the seventh to take their biggest lead of the game, thanks to an RBI single from sophomore infielder Jordan Holly and a two-run double by senior outfielder Tyler Duke.
Memphis got its most offensive production in the home half of the seventh, answering the Racers’ three-run top half of the seventh with three runs of their own.
A scoreless eighth inning sent the Racers into the ninth with a three-run lead over the Tigers. Redshirt freshman infielder Wes Schad got in on the scoring fun with an RBI single of his own in the top of the ninth, scoring Duke and bringing the Racer lead to four, 10-6.
Memphis went quietly in the ninth, leaving one on base before coming up short 10-6. The Racers and Tigers each moved to 1-3 on the season following their matchup on Wednesday afternoon.
Murray State will be back in action against Miami University at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22, in its home opener at Reagan Field.