MURRAY, Ky. – Kainen Jorge connected on the go-ahead two-run double in the eighth inning as No. 3 Murray State spoiled a
Ryan Karst quality start as No. 2 Indiana State fell to the Racers on Thursday evening at Johnny Reagan Field, 3-2.
The Sycamores (30-26) took the early 2-0 lead in a classic pitchers' duel as
Caden Miller connected on his eighth home run of the season off Murray State (33-25) starting pitcher Jacob Hustedde (2-4). The Racers, limited to three hits in the contest, made the second hit of the game count in the top of the sixth inning as Kainen Jorge connected on an RBI single to left center scoring Parker Airhart to put Murray State on the board.
Murray State continued to rally back in the eighth as Jorge cleared the bases with a two-out double down the right field line off reliever
Colby Morse (4-3) scoring both Luke Mistone and Connor Chisholm to give the Racers their first lead of the game with two outs in the frame.
Indiana State scratched out a
Mason Roell one-out single off reliever Ben Rosin (S, 5) before
Carter Beck connected on the hardest hit ball of the night with a line drive 113 miles-per-hour off the bat, but right at the Racers' right fielder to limit the Sycamore rally in the eighth. Rosin retired Indiana State in order in the ninth to close out the contest.
Mason Roell,
Emil Estrella,
Caden Miller, and
Nomar Garcia all recorded hits on Thursday night in the loss.
Ryan Karst worked 7.1 innings allowing two hits and two runs (one earned), while walking two and striking out four in the Thursday night start.
Colby Morse worked the final 1.2 innings allowing one hit and one run while striking out one.
How They Scored
- Indiana State took the 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning as Caden Miller followed Emil Estrella's single with a two-run home run down the left field line to put the Sycamores ahead early.
- Murray State took one back in the top of the sixth inning as Kainen Jorge connected on an RBI single to left center scoring Parker Airhart to make it a 2-1 game.
- The Racers took the lead in the top of the eighth inning as Kainen Jorge drove a two-run double down the right field line scoring both Luke Mistone and Connor Chisholm to provide the final 3-2 scoring margin.
News & Notes
- Carter Beck's 39-game on-base streak came to an end on Thursday night as the junior outfielder went 0-for-4 in the contest.
- Carter Beck hit one of the hardest balls of the day connecting on a 113-mph swing to right field in the loss.
- Caden Miller connected on his eighth home run of the 2026 season with his two-run shot in the fourth inning. It marked his first home run since going deep on May 3 at Southern Illinois.
- Mason Roell's hit streak hit 10 consecutive games on Thursday night following his eighth inning base hit.
- Emil Estrella's fourth-inning single extended his hitting streak to nine consecutive games.
- Ryan Karst posted his fifth quality start of the 2026 season and third in a row after going 7.1 innings allowing two hits and four runs while striking out four.
- Ryan Karst lowered his ERA to 3.05 over 65.0 innings while taking over the team strikeout lead with 53 on the year.
- Ryan Karst lowered his opponent batting average to a team-best .202, while also lowering his WHIP to 1.08.
Up Next
Indiana State will take on the winner of No. 4 Southern Illinois and No. 5 Evansville in an elimination game on Friday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT at Johnny Reagan Field in Murray, Ky. The game will be carried live on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.
Follow the Sycamores
For the latest information on the Sycamore Baseball team, make sure to check out
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