Murray State Racers Make Headlines: Breaking News on Coach Search, Star Transfers, and 2025 Recruiting Buzz

The Murray State Racers are one win away from punching the program’s first-ever ticket to the College World Series, and excitement is surging across Kentucky and beyond. After blasting the Duke Blue Devils 19-9 on Sunday to even the best-of-three Durham Super Regional, head coach Dan Skirka’s squad faces a decisive winner-take-all Game 3 on Monday night. Momentum on the Racers’ side • Offensive explosion: Murray State racked up 17 hits, highlighted by senior outfielder Jonathan Hogart’s four-hit, five-RBI performance that silenced the sold-out crowd at Duke’s Jack Coombs Field. • Power surge: The Racers have homered in five straight NCAA Tournament games, a trend that could prove decisive in the bandbox dimensions of Durham. • Pitching depth: Freshman reliever Luke Mercer threw 3.1 scoreless innings Sunday, preserving arms for the finale. Why this run is historic Murray State, a Missouri Valley Conference newcomer, had never advanced past a regional before 2025. The Racers toppled No. 11 national seed Arkansas in Fayetteville, then stunned Duke to force tonight’s showdown. A victory would make them the first MVC team to reach Omaha since Wichita State in 2013, and it would spotlight a university better known nationally for basketball. Key players to watch tonight • RHP Connor Gracia (8-2, 3.12 ERA) is expected to start on four days’ rest. • INF Jacob Pennington leads the club with 22 homers and a .401 OBP. • Duke counters with junior ace Alex Gowens (9-3, 2.88 ERA), who fanned 10 Racers in Game 1. How to watch and stream • First pitch: 7 p.m. ET, Monday, June 9. • TV: ESPN2; Streaming: ESPN App (sign-in required). • Radio: Froggy 103.7 FM in Murray; TuneIn digital stream. Fan travel & watch parties The city of Murray is organizing a free watch party at the CFSB Center; doors open at 6 p.m. Local bars — Big Apple Grill & Bar, Tap 216 and The Keg — will run game-day specials. For fans traveling to Durham, limited standing-room tickets were released Monday morning via Duke’s athletics ticket portal. What’s next The winner heads to Omaha and will open CWS play on Saturday against the victor of the Texas A&M–UCLA Super Regional. Regardless of tonight’s outcome, Murray State’s breakout season has already boosted the school’s national profile, a timely boon as President Bob Jackson prepares to retire on June 30. SEO takeaways Search interest for “Murray State baseball,” “Murray State vs Duke,” “Durham Super Regional stream,” and “College World Series bracket 2025” has skyrocketed this week. Bookmark this page for live updates, score alerts, and post-game reaction as the Racers chase college baseball immortality.