Murray State Baseball Shocks Conference: Record-Breaking Upset, Key Highlights & What’s Next

Murray State baseball has arrived on the biggest stage in college sports, and the Racers are ready to embrace their Cinderella label at the 2025 Men’s College World Series in Omaha. Key game details • First pitch vs. UCLA: Saturday, June 14, 2:00 p.m. CT • TV/stream: ESPN, ESPN+ and the ESPN app • Records: Murray State 44-15, UCLA 47-16 Road to Omaha The Racers punched their ticket by upsetting Duke 5-4 in a decisive Game 3 of the Lexington Super Regional, sealing the program’s first trip to Omaha in 114 seasons of baseball. Head coach Dan Skirka, recently named the 2025 NCBWA Mike Martin National Coach of the Year, guided the Ohio Valley Conference champions through a 12-2 postseason surge. Why the Racers believe • Clutch bullpen: Closer Peyton Hicks hasn’t allowed an earned run in June. • Veteran core: Six everyday starters are graduate seniors, including all-OVC shortstop Malik Jordan (.342, 12 HR). • Momentum: Murray State swept regional host Kentucky and outscored opponents 31-14 in elimination games. Players to watch • CF Jaxon McGowan — team-best 18 home runs, 1.082 OPS. • RHP Tyler Hayes — projected starter vs. UCLA; 9-2, 2.87 ERA, 101 K. • 3B Luis Santiago — five multi-hit games this postseason. Scouting UCLA The Bruins bring a power-armed rotation anchored by left-hander Zack Holloway (11-1, 2.33 ERA) and an offense that averages 7.1 runs. UCLA is chasing its first title since 2013 but must solve a Racers lineup that averages 1.5 homers per game. Bracket outlook Murray State shares Bracket 1 with UCLA, LSU and SEC champion Arkansas. Two wins send the Racers to the bracket final; two losses end the dream. Arkansas opens as national betting favorite, but no team owns more momentum than the Racers after an 18-4 close to the season. How to watch and follow Fans can stream every pitch on ESPN+, listen locally on Froggy 103.7 FM and follow live stats at GoRacers.com. Ticket blocks for Murray State sections (Rows 109-120) remain on sale through the TD Ameritrade Park box office. What’s at stake A victory Saturday would place Murray State one win from the program’s first NCAA Championship Series appearance and cement the Racers as the story of the 2025 College World Series. Lose, and the margin for error disappears in a Monday elimination game — but this team has thrived with its back against the wall all spring. Bottom line Murray State baseball has already rewritten school history. Now the Racers aim to turn Omaha into Racer Nation and extend one of the most compelling underdog runs college baseball has seen in years.