MURRAY, Ky. –
Carter Beck connected the go-ahead RBI single in the top of the fourth inning and
Ryan Karst worked 6.2 strong innings as Indiana State topped Murray State on Friday night at Johnny Reagan Field, 3-2.
Indiana State (27-22, 13-6) rallied back from an early 2-0 deficit with a two-run frame in the top of the third inning against Murray State (27-23, 12-7) starter Nic Schutte (7-5).
Nomar Garcia sparked the stretch with a double down the left field line and scored on
Mason Roell's RBI single.
Emil Estrella added a solo home run over the left field wall to tie the game up with two outs in the frame.
The Sycamores kept the momentum going in the top of the fourth as Indiana State took advantage of a bit of wildness on the mound with
Caleb Niehaus and
Mason Roell both reaching base after getting hit by pitches.
Carter Beck made it count with an RBI single through the right side of the infield scoring Niehaus to put the score at 3-2.
Indiana State starting pitcher
Ryan Karst (3-1) settled in after an early Kainen Jorge two-run home run to shut down the Murray State offense. Karst worked 6.2 innings allowing five hits while striking out seven in picking up his third win of the season. The senior right-hander pitched around runners on base in the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth frames, recording five of his seven strikeouts after the fourth inning before turning the ball over to the Indiana State bullpen with two on and two outs in the bottom of the seventh.
Colby Morse entered to get the final out in the seventh inning, while
Justin Hoff (S, 4) shut down the Racers' rally in the eighth to keep the 3-2 lead late. Hoff retired all four batters he faced with
Colin Sander fielding the final two outs in the Indiana State win.
Mason Roell,
Carter Beck,
Caden Miller, and
Nick Sutherlin all had multi-hit games for Indiana State in the contest, while
Nomar Garcia (double) and
Emil Estrella (solo home run) connected on extra-base hits in the win.
Ryan Karst worked 6.2 innings allowing five hits and two runs while striking out seven in the win.
Colby Morse allowed one hit in a scoreless inning of work, while
Justin Hoff added a strikeout over his final 1.1 frames.
Connor Chisolm had two of Murray State's six hits in the contest, while Connor Cunningham and Daylan Pena both doubled. Kainen Jorge added a home run in the loss.
Nic Schutte went 6.0 innings allowing nine hits and three runs while walking four, hitting four, and striking out seven over 132 total pitched. Ben Rosin worked 3.0 scoreless innings allowing two hits while striking out three in relief.
How They Scored
- Kainen Jorge put Murray State on the board in the bottom of the first inning with a two-run home run to center field to make it an early 2-0 ballgame.
- Mason Roell connected on an RBI single down the right field line scoring Nomar Garcia and Emil Estrella connected on a two-out solo home run to left field to tie the game up at 2-2 in the top of the third.
- The Sycamores went ahead 3-2 in the top of the fourth inning as Carter Beck singled home Caleb Niehaus to provide the go-ahead win.
News and Notes
- Carter Beck extended his on-base streak to 33 consecutive games following his 2-for-4 day at the plate with an RBI.
- Carter Beck picked up his 10th steal of the 2026 season giving him back-to-back 10 home run, 10 stolen bases seasons.
- Carter Beck becomes the first Sycamore to post back-to-back 10-10 seasons since Tyler Thompson achieved the feat in both 1997 and 1998.
- Carter Beck joins Tyler Thompson (1997 & 1998) and Paul Frye (1985 & 1986) to achieve back-to-back 10-10 seasons in program history dating back to the 1979 season according to current records on hand.
- Emil Estrella connected on his ninth home run of the 2026 season and first since connecting on a solo home run on April 10 at Illinois State.
- Ryan Karst recorded his third win of the 2026 season on his way to going 6.2 innings on Friday night at Murray State.
- Ryan Karst recorded seven strikeouts, marking the third time he's posted at least seven strikeouts in the 2026 season.
- Indiana State improves to 7-1 in Ryan Karst starts in the 2026 season.
- Justin Hoff picked up his team-leading fourth save on the mound after going 1.1 scoreless innings.
Up Next
Indiana State and Murray State continue the series on Saturday evening at Johnny Reagan Field with first pitch set for 6 p.m. ET. The game will be carried live on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.
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