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The Murray State baseball team advanced to its first College World Series in program history with a Monday night win over Duke. They got to celebrate twice on the field due to a late-game controversy.
An interference ruling appeared to end the game on a would-be double play. After review, the play was overturned, giving the Blue Devils one last chance to strike.
The series was highly contested with each side trading blows across the first two games. Duke won Game 1 at home, 7-4, before the Racers evened the set with a 19-9 blowout. The decisive Game 3 was a battle.
Murray State jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in its first at-bat before the Blue Devils chipped away. Duke eventually took a 3-2 lead in the fourth on a Jake Berger home run.
The Racers tied the game at 3-3 in the seventh before taking a 5-3 lead in the eighth. Then the drama unfolded.
Duke crept closer with a Macon Winslow moonshot. The solo blast made the score 5-4 entering the ninth. Murray State was held scoreless in its final at-bat. Duke had a chance to win it in the bottom of the frame.
Murray State baseball overcame a controversial interference call to win.
The Blue Devils got the tying run on base with nobody out. The first batter of the inning was hit by a pitch. Unfortunately for the home side, his teammates failed to bat him around.
AJ Gracia fouled out to become the first out. Outs two and three appeared to come soon after.
Ben Miller hit a groundball to the shortstop, who flipped to second for the force. As the defender attempted to complete the double play, he was tripped up by a sliding baserunner.
Initially, the play was ruled interference. After a review, it was overturned.
The full sequence that led to Murray State dogpiling before play went to review and ultimately overturned.
Murray State had to get another out. Incredible sport. pic.twitter.com/IYtep0yWXO
— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) June 10, 2025
Runner’s interference can be defined as obstructing a fielder’s ability to make a play. Players cannot illegally hinder a throw by sliding outside the baseline.
Umpires initially viewed the Murray State fielder to be just outside that baseline limit when attempting to make the throw. After review, however, it determined that the Duke baserunner slid directly into the bag. It was close!
Those on Duke’s side believed it was the right call, as did the broadcast crew. Murray State might’ve viewed it differently had the result of the game been altered. Luckily, the Racers were able to record the third out on the next batter to preserve the 5-4 win.
Murray State baseball is headed to Omaha!