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Murray State hosts Illinois-Chicago in pivotal nonconference clash

MURRAY, Ky. (Interstat) — Murray State (32-25, 1 tie) and Illinois-Chicago (25-27, 1 tie) meet Saturday afternoon in a nonconference baseball game at Reagan Field.

The Racers enter the contest having won four of their last five games, including a 3-2 victory Thursday at Indiana State. Murray State swept a three-game series at Evansville last weekend before splitting a midweek game with Illinois State.

Illinois-Chicago arrives after a dominant 11-1 win Thursday over Southern Illinois, a game in which starting pitcher Mason Lei threw seven innings, allowing five hits and one earned run while striking out eight.

Lei (7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 8 K on May 21) has been the Flames’ most consistent starter. In his last four outings, Lei has posted a 0.86 ERA across 27 innings, striking out 29 batters against just four walks. He threw a seven-inning, no-hit performance May 1 against Evansville but took a 2-1 loss.

Murray State counters with junior right-hander Jacob Hustedde, who threw 7 1/3 no-hit innings Thursday at Indiana State, allowing two earned runs and striking out eight in a 3-2 win. Hustedde has been erratic this season, however. In his prior start May 15 at Evansville, he allowed three earned runs in 4 2/3 innings. He surrendered four earned runs in three innings May 2 at Purdue.

The Racers swept Illinois-Chicago in a three-game series April 10-12 in Chicago, winning 3-1, 8-2 and 5-10. The Flames, however, have won five of their last seven games, including a series win at Bradley on May 14-16.

Murray State’s offense is led by center fielder Kainen Jorge, who drove in three runs Thursday. The Racers have scored double-digit runs in four of their last eight games, including a 15-10 win at Evansville on May 15.

Illinois-Chicago’s lineup features catcher Thomas Curry, who homered and drove in four runs Thursday, and second baseman Jake Busson, who went 2-for-2 with a home run and two RBIs.

First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT. The game will be the first of a potential doubleheader if weather permits.