(Eastern Illinois Athletics photo)
Former Caldwell County standout Shane Burns pitched seven strong innings as Murray State won its Ohio Valley Conference opener 9-2 Friday afternoon at Eastern Illinois.
The sophomore southpaw allowed just two earned runs on four base hits while picking up his first victory on the mound this season.
Burns (1-1) fanned five and walked four in his fourth start of the 2021 campaign.
The Racers put up a pair of runs before Burns even took the mound in the bottom of the first inning.
Murray State (6-7) never trailed, putting up a three-spot in the fifth, then adding two runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings.
Burns surrendered single tallies in each of the second and seventh innings.
“Really good team win today. The guys were ready to go from the first pitch until the end. Everyone contributed today and it’s great to have Shane Burns set the tempo for the weekend,” said MSU head coach Dan Skirka.
Murray State plays two more games at Eastern Illinois on Saturday. The first game of the twinbill starts at 10:30 a.m. in Charleston, Ill.
