MURRAY, Ky. – The Bulldogs fell to Murray State 25-12 in the third game of the weekend series. The Racers powered to victory behind two seven-run innings in the second and fourth.

Gardner homered to left field in the bottom on the second to put the first tally on the board. The Racers had an explosive second inning that saw them score seven runs on six hits and one error. Murray State batted through the lineup in the fourth, and Gardner ended the inning grounding out to second after leading off the scoring. 

At the top of the fourth, All got the Bulldogs started with a single up the middle. Milano doubled to right-center, and Jones followed with a double as well. Van Liere had an RBI single that brought Jones home to bring the Dawgs to three runs on the inning. 

The Racers came back in the bottom of the fourth, starting with three walks by Sammons, McCullough, and Pennington. Bloomer doubled to left center following the walks. Gardner singled through left field, which led to McCullough and Bloomer scoring. Slunder hit a single to the left side that knocked home two runs. Sammons singled to the right side in the at-bat after knocking home run and advancing Slunder to third. Bloomer singled, bringing Slunder home, and the Racers finish the inning with seven runs and five hits.

In the seventh, the Bulldogs had a big inning with six runs. O'Halloran got things started with a single to left, and All advanced to second after reaching on a throwing error in the previous at-bat. Jones singled, bringing home O'Halloran and All. Van Liere walked, and Holt followed it up with another walk to load the bases. Wurch pinch hit for Poynter and, in his first at-bat of the day, hit a grand slam. The Dawgs finished the inning with six runs on three hits. 

Murray State tacked on five more in the bottom of the eighth after Gargano scored one for the Bulldogs in the top of the inning. 

Butler returns to action on Friday, Feb. 25th at Jackson State.