NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Mercyhurst baseball team continued their season playing the final of four straight against Murray State. The final score was 20-4 in favor of the Racers.

Mercyhurst fell behind early against Murray State in the second inning when a single to center field drove in two runs, giving Murray State a 2-0 lead.

In the third inning, the Lakers responded with a strong offensive effort. Zach Black doubled to left center, and Riley Ames followed with an RBI double, scoring Black. Jayden Walker then delivered a two-RBI single down the left field line, bringing home Ames and Logan Koslin, who had reached on a hit by pitch. Ranciel Ventura added with a sacrifice fly to bring Walker home, putting Mercyhurst briefly ahead. However, Murray State answered with a ten-run inning highlighted by several walks and a hit by pitch, giving it a 12-4 lead after three innings.

Murray State extended its lead in the fourth inning. After an error allowed advancement to reach third, a sacrifice fly and a two-RBI triple added four more runs, making the score 16-4.

Murray State continued to add to its lead in the fifth inning. A series of singles and a fielder's choice resulted in three more runs, extending the advantage to 19-4.

In the sixth inning, Murray State scored once more on a sacrifice fly, bringing it to a 20-4 lead.

The Lakers' offense was unable to rally in the subsequent innings, and the game concluded with Murray State winning 20-4.

Peyton Weigand started for the Lakers, pitching two innings while allowing five earned runs on three hits and four walks, striking out one. Morgan Shanaman followed but was unable to record an out, issuing three walks and hitting two batters, resulting in five runs. Andrew Malec also pitched just a third of an inning and walked three batters, allowing two earned runs. Anthony Krause managed an inning of work, giving up two earned runs on three walks. Nate Vargo pitched a full inning, allowing four runs on four hits, including a triple. Cody Smith closed the game, pitching 1.2 innings, allowing one earned run on two hits and a walk, while striking out one.

Jayden Walker drove in two runs and added a hit in the game, finishing with an OPS of 1.167. Zach Black contributed with two hits, including a double, and scored once, achieving an OPS of 2.500. Riley Ames recorded two hits with a double, driving in one run and scoring once, while also stealing a base. Luke Babcock collected two hits and maintained an OPS of 1.333.

In their next game, the Lakers will travel to Baltimore, Maryland, to face Coppin State at 3 p.m. Friday, March 6.