What to know about Murray State, Duke baseball's NCAA Super Regional opponent

Duke baseball is aiming for its first College World Series trip since 1961, but coach Chris Pollard's bunch will have to beat Murray State to get to Omaha.

The Blue Devils (40-19) host the Racers (42-14) in a NCAA Super Regional starting Saturday, June 7, at Jack Coombs Field in Durham. Game 1 in the best-of-three series has a 1 p.m. first pitch and is set to be televised on ESPNU.

Murray State, which is competing in the super regional round for the first time in program history after winning its first NCAA Tournament games since 1979, is the 10th No. 4 seed to advance to a Super Regional. The Racers got there by beating No. 10 overall seed Ole Miss 12-11 in the finale of the Oxford Regional.

May 30, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Murray State Racers outfielder Jonathan Hogart (15) reacts with Murray State Racers outfielder Dustin Mercer (10), as he touches home after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Mississippi Rebels. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Duke baseball Super Regional tickets

Murray State baseball in its first NCAA Super Regional

Murray State, which won four games to win the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, is making its fourth NCAA Tournament appearance and first since 2003. Prior to winning the Oxford Regional, the Racers hadn't won a tournament game since 1979. Now, they're the 10th program to advance to a Super Regional as a No. 4 seed. Evansville (2024) and Oral Roberts (2023) were the previous two teams to accomplish the feat.

The Racers, who led 12-3 in the seventh inning of their winner-take-all game against Ole Miss, withstood a late charge from the Rebels to hold on for a 12-11 victory in Oxford. Over the course of four regional games, the Racers racked up 42 runs. Now, Murray State will get the chance to go to the College World Series. If the Racers advance, they'll be the first team from the Missouri Valley to get to Omaha since Missouri State in 2003.

Murray State baseball stars rundown

Murray State is in a super regional largely because of Dustin Mercer's outstanding production at the plate in Oxford. Mercer, who was MVP of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and MOP of the Oxford Regional, is 10-for-18 (.556 batting average) in the NCAA Tournament, with seven doubles and a triple.

Mercer hit four doubles and finished with three RBIs to set the stage in Murray State's 9-6 win against Ole Miss in Game 1 of the regional. Right-handed pitcher Graham Kelham pitched 6 ⅔ innings in three regional games, allowing three runs with 13 strikeouts. Kelham, who joined Mercer on the All-Oxford Regional team, recorded a save in each of the Racers' final three regional games.

Jonathan Hogart, a veteran outfielder, had eight hits and six RBIs in the regional, with multiple hits in three of the four games. Hogart had a home run in the first three tournament games and is among the nation's leaders with 19 on the season. Right-handed junior Nic Shutte (8-3, 4.55 ERA) and right-handed senior Isaac Silva (8-2, 4.74) are Murray State's top starting pitchers.

Murray State baseball lineup

Murray State's lineup is loaded with veterans. The typical nine starters for the Racers include three redshirt seniors, two juniors, two seniors, a redshirt sophomore and freshman.

Dustin Mercer, a redshirt senior outfielder and North Carolina native, was named Most Outstanding Player of the Oxford Regional. Mercer was joined on the All-Regional team by redshirt senior outfielder Jonathan Hogart and junior pitcher Graham Kelham. Originally from Weddington, N.C., Mercer played at Virginia Tech before joining the Racers.

In the clincher against Ole Miss, Murray State's Nos. 3-6 hitters in the lineup combined for 14 hits and five RBIs. Carson Garner and Dom Decker had three hits each, with Luke Mistone and Will Vierling adding four hits each in the regional finale. The Racers have a lineup with plenty of pop.

Where is Murray State University?

Murray State University is a public university in Murray, Kentucky. It was founded Murray State Normal School in 1922.

What is Murray State baseball's mascot?

The Murray State mascot is the Racers.

Who is Murray State baseball's coach?

Dan Skirka is in his seventh season as head coach of the Racers.

Duke Super Regional schedule

Saturday, June 7

• Game 1: Duke vs. Murray State, 1 p.m. (ESPNU)

Sunday, June 8

• Game 2: Duke vs. Murray State, Noon (TBD)

Monday, June 9

• Game 3*: TBD

*if necessary

Where to watch Duke baseball vs Murray State

• TV: ESPNU
• Live stream: ESPN + | Fubo

NCAA baseball tournament schedule

• Regionals: May 30-June 2
• Super Regionals: June 6-9
• College World Series: June 13-23

Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to [email protected].