(Photo by Dave Winder, MSU Athletics)
Caldwell County High School grad Shane Burns pitched into the eighth inning to get the win as Murray State defeated Southeast Missouri 6-5 Saturday afternoon.
It was the fifth-consecutive Ohio Valley Conference series victory for the Racers, who are now 16-17 overall and 10-5 in league play.
Burns, a freshman, pitched one of the best games of his college career, striking out seven while walking just one and allowing three runs.
“Shane had all three pitches going today,” Racer head coach Dan Skirka told MSU Athletics. “He was confident in his fastball, curveball, and changeup, and that’s what makes him so tough, he’ll throw any pitch in any count.”
Burns, who allowed six base hits in the contest, did not surrender a hit from the fourth through the sixth innings with his team holding a 5-2 advantage.
SEMO chased Burns after 115 pitches with two outs in the eighth after getting within 6-3.
Burns got help out of the bullpen from Brayden Cook, who gave up a pair of runs in the top of the ninth but got the final four outs of the contest.
Burns is now 3-2 on the season. In eight starts, Burns has posted a 3.98 earned run average.
Murray State next hosts Evansville on Tuesday.
