Racers Take Opening Day Victory Over Big East Foe Butler

Friday, February 18

Murray, Ky.

3 p.m.

Murray State

1-0

Butler

0-1

Butler

Murray State

Photo by: David Eaton-Murray State Athletics

Racers Take Opening Day Victory Over Big East Foe Butler

2/18/2022 8:09:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Alex Crump homered and doubled; Jacob Pennington threw 2.2 scoreless with five K’s in the win

Murray State baseball secured the 6-4 comeback victory over Butler on Friday (Feb.18) afternoon at Johnny Reagan Field in Murray, Kentucky. After trailing 2-0 into the fourth inning and 4-1 into the sixth inning, the Racers used a four-run sixth inning to pull ahead for good.

An infield single from Brennan McCullough started the rally for the Racers, followed by an Alex Crump hit by pitch. Following a Bulldog wild pitch, freshman designated hitter Carson Garner singled to center field to plate McCullough and continue the rally. Following another infield single, this time from Drew Vogel to drive in Crump, Jordan Holly walked. Another wild pitch from Butler plated the tying run before graduate outfielder and preseason All-OVC member Jake Slunder singled to bring in the go-ahead run.

Crump would homer in the seventh inning to give the Racers a two-run lead; plenty for the Racers bullpen. Jacob Pennington got the win after throwing 2.2 scoreless innings in relief with five strikeouts. Alec Whaley would get the save after striking out the side in the ninth.

Today's game marked Jake Slunder's 156^th appearance in a Racer uniform
Alec Whaley extends his career pitching appearances record to 84, with the previous record being 80
The Racers secured their first opening day victory in the Dan Skirka era with the last opening day win for the program coming in 2017 in a 5-1 win over Hofstra
Today marked the first-ever meeting between Murray State and Butler and just the 12^th ever meeting between Murray State and a member of the Big East Conference