Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 TONKAWA, Okla. - The Murray State College baseball team used a mix of late-game clutch hitting and explosive offense to sweep NOC-Tonkawa in Saturday's doubleheader, taking Game 1 in dramatic fashion before cruising in Game 2.
 
With the victories this afternoon, Murray State clinched the Region 2 West Regular Season title. Postseason play will begin on Thursday.
 
Game 1: Murray State 4, NOC-Tonkawa 3
Murray State found itself trailing early after NOC-Tonkawa plated two runs in the first inning, but the Aggies responded in the second with disciplined at-bats. Michael Barham worked a bases-loaded walk to get Murray State on the board, and Rayner Beene followed with an RBI groundout to tie the game at two.
 
The game remained a pitcher's duel into the late innings with NOC-Tonkawa briefly regaining the lead in the sixth, 3-2.
 
In the top of the seventh, Brady Taylor delivered in the biggest moment, launching a two-run home run to center field that gave the Aggies a 4-3 lead. Murray State's pitching staff shut the door in the bottom half, securing the comeback victory.
 
Eli Ramirez got the start for the Aggies. Ramirez went five innings, while striking out 10 and giving up one earned run. Chance Baker picked up the win as he threw an inning in relief. Isaac Gammel came in and closed the door on the Mavericks in the bottom of the seventh, while striking out two.
 
Game 2: Murray State 10, NOC-Tonkawa 2
The Aggies carried that momentum straight into Game 2 and wasted no time jumping on the scoreboard. Sean Keenen sparked the offense with an RBI double in the first, and Cason Johnson followed with a two-run single to give Murray State a quick 3-0 advantage.
 
After NOC-Tonkawa cut into the lead in the third, the Aggies delivered a game-breaking fourth inning.
 
Rayner Beene highlighted the frame with a bases-clearing double, while Sean Keenen added another RBI double and Cason Johnson continued his big day with an RBI single. Murray State pushed across six runs in the inning to blow the game open.
 
The Aggies added to their lead in the sixth when Eli Ramirez drew a bases-loaded walk, extending the advantage to 10-1. NOC-Tonkawa managed a late run, but the outcome was never in doubt as Murray State would go on to win 10-2.

Brance Garrett picked up the win as he fired 4 ⅓ innings, while striking out four and giving up one run. Hank Brown fired three innings in relief to clinch the Region 2 West Regular Season title.
 
The Aggies begin postseason play on Thursday in the Cross Over Playoff Series. They will play the six seed from the East - National Park College.
 
Sports Information Director: Justin Wagner | jgwagner@mscok.edu
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