Murray State edges Duke, reaches first MWCS

Field Level Media|published: 06/09/2025, 11:31pm EDT

Jun 9, 2025; Durham, NC, USA; Murray State celebrates a win after the ninth inning of the Durham Super Regional against Duke at Jack Coombs Field. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

Jonathan Hogart homered twice, helping lead Murray State to a 5-4 win over Duke on Monday in the decisive third game of the Durham (N.C.) super regional, sending the Racers to the first Men's College World Series in school history.

Murray State (44-15) became the eighth and final team to clinch a spot in the MCWS, which starts Friday in Omaha, Neb. The Racers will open Saturday against UCLA.

Luke Mistone had two hits for Murray State, including a solo homer in the eighth inning that gave the Racers a 4-3 lead. Dan Tauken added an RBI in that frame, which proved key when Duke's Macon Winslow socked a solo homer in the bottom of the eighth.

Graham Kelham (4-1) tossed 2 2/3 innings of one-run relief for the win.

Duke reliever Reid Easterly (9-3) yielded two runs -- on homers by Hogart and Mistone -- in three innings.

In addition to Winslow, Jake Hyde and Jake Berger also went deep for the Blue Devils (41-21).

--Field Level Media