Durham, NC – June 3, 2025 – The road to Omaha continues as the Murray State Racers and Duke Blue Devils prepare to battle in the Durham Super Regional of the 2025 NCAA Baseball Tournament. This best-of-three series, hosted at Jack Coombs Field, will determine which team advances to the College World Series.
Murray State enters the Super Regional as one of the tournament’s biggest surprises, while Duke looks to capitalize on home-field advantage and secure its first trip to Omaha since 1961.
Season Review: How They Got Here
Murray State Racers (42-14, 17-8 MVC)
Murray State’s historic season has been nothing short of remarkable. Under head coach Dan Skirka, the Racers captured the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championship, securing their fourth-ever NCAA Tournament appearance and first since 2003.
The Racers finished the regular season with a 42-14 overall record, including a 17-8 mark in MVC play, earning them a spot in the Oxford Regional as a No. 4 seed. Their offense has been electric, ranking 16th nationally with an average of 8.7 runs per game.
Duke Blue Devils (40-19, 17-13 ACC)
Duke has been a consistent force in college baseball under head coach Chris Pollard, making its fourth Super Regional appearance in the last seven seasons. The Blue Devils finished the regular season 40-19, including a 17-13 record in the ACC, earning a No. 2 seed in the Athens Regional.
Duke’s balanced roster features a mix of power hitters and elite pitching, making them a formidable opponent. Their ability to win close games has been a defining trait throughout the season.
Regional Performances: The Path to Durham
Murray State’s Stunning Oxford Regional Victory
Murray State shocked the college baseball world by becoming just the 10th No. 4 seed in NCAA history to advance to a Super Regional. The Racers opened the Oxford Regional with a 9-6 victory over No. 10 Ole Miss, followed by a 13-11 win against Georgia Tech.
After suffering a 19-8 loss to Ole Miss in the first game of the regional final, Murray State bounced back with a thrilling 12-11 victory to clinch their first-ever regional championship.
Duke’s Gritty Athens Regional Performance
Duke dominated the Athens Regional, going 3-0 to secure their spot in the Super Regional. The Blue Devils opened with a 12-5 win over Oklahoma State, followed by a 6-3 victory against Georgia.
In the regional final, Duke rallied late to defeat Oklahoma State 3-2, thanks to a clutch two-RBI single by Sam Harris in the eighth inning.
Player Overviews: Key Contributors
Murray State Standouts
- Dustin Mercer (OF) – The Oxford Regional MVP, Mercer has been unstoppable at the plate, hitting .556 in the NCAA Tournament with seven doubles and a triple.
- Jonathan Hogart (OF) – A power hitter, Hogart has 19 home runs this season and was a key contributor in the regional.
- Graham Kelham (RHP) – A dominant reliever, Kelham recorded three saves in the Oxford Regional while striking out 13 batters.
- Nic Schutte (RHP) & Isaac Silva (RHP) – The Racers’ top starting pitchers, both with eight wins on the season.
Duke’s Key Players
- Wallace Clark (SS) – Named Most Outstanding Player of the Athens Regional, Clark had nine hits and three RBIs.
- AJ Gracia (OF) – A powerful sophomore, Gracia hit a crucial home run in the regional final against Oklahoma State.
- Sam Harris (DH) – Delivered the game-winning hit in the Athens Regional final, proving his clutch ability.
- Kyle Johnson (LHP/OF) – A two-way star, Johnson has been a key pitcher and hitter for Duke.
- Reid Easterly (RHP) – A shutdown reliever, Easterly closed out the regional final with a dominant ninth inning.
Super Regional Schedule & Broadcast Information
The Durham Super Regional will take place from June 7-9, 2025, at Jack Coombs Field in Durham, NC.
- Game 1: Saturday, June 7 – 1 p.m. ET (ESPNU)
- Game 2: Sunday, June 8 – 12 p.m. ET (TBD)
- Game 3 (if necessary): Monday, June 9 – TBD (TBD)
Fans can purchase tickets through Duke Athletics or stream the games live on ESPN+ and Fubo.
Final Thoughts
The Durham Super Regional promises to be an exciting battle between a Cinderella story and a seasoned contender. Will Murray State continue its historic run, or will Duke punch its ticket to Omaha for the first time in over six decades?
Stay tuned for what promises to be an unforgettable series in Durham!
AI Disclaimer
This post was generated with the assistance of AI-powered tools designed to synthesize and present factual information. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, readers are encouraged to verify details through official NCAA sources and team websites.
