DURHAM, N.C. — In a thrilling display at the Durham Super Regional, Murray State’s baseball team put on an impressive performance, securing a dominant 19-9 win against Duke on Sunday. This impressive victory forces a decisive third game to determine which team will advance.
Central to Murray State’s victory was Dustin Mercer, who delivered an outstanding four hits throughout the game. Further strengthening the team’s offense, Dom Decker and Will Verling both drove in four runs each. Several players, including Jonathan Hogart, Carson Garner, Dan Tauken, and Connor Cunningham, showcased their power with home runs, contributing to the commanding win. Collectively, four team members crossed the plate three times and two others did so twice. The Racers managed to score ten or more runs for the seventh time in their last 11 encounters, tallying up an impressive total of 43 wins this season.
This crucial game took place at Duke’s historic Jack Coombs Field. With 94 years of history behind it, the stadium is hosting its first-ever postseason games, attracting an enthusiastic crowd of 2,689 spectators. Although Duke last reached the College World Series back in 1961, the quest remains ongoing for Murray State, who are yet to make an appearance.
A robust and high-scoring fourth inning saw the Racers build a hefty 10-3 lead with a five-run surge. Duke valiantly attempted a comeback with five runs in the sixth inning, tightening the score gap. However, the Racers retaliated fiercely, unleashing a powerful nine-run seventh inning. During this explosive phase, Decker connected with a two-run single, Vierling hit a two-run double, and both Tauken and Cunningham launched home runs.
Duke’s AJ Gracia and Ben Miller hit back-to-back solo home runs in the first inning, with Wallace Clark adding another homer in the third. Duke pushed hard in the sixth with a two-run double by Ben Rounds and a two-run homer by Macon Winslow. In the eighth, Rounds sent another solo homer over the fence.
For Murray State, pitcher Isaac Silva held the Blue Devils as best he could over his 5 1/3 innings, allowing six runs but securing his team the stability they needed. In relief, Graham Kelham conceded just one hit and one run through three innings, earning his seventh save of the season. Despite their efforts, Duke’s Kyle Johnson took the loss after yielding six runs in the opening three innings.