Luke Mistone hits go-ahead homer in the 8th to help Murray State advance to the program's first CWS
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Luke Mistone hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning, Graham Kelham was solid in another long relief appearance, and Murray State beat Duke 5-4 on Monday night in a winner-take-all championship game at the Durham Super Regional to advance to the program's first College World Series.
Murray State (44-15) became the fourth No. 4 seed to advance to Omaha, Nebraska.
Advertisement
Duke (40-20) was seeking its first appearance in the CWS since 1961.
Jonathan Hogart hit his second home run of the game in the seventh inning — his 21st of the season — into the pine trees over the left-field wall to tie it at 3.
Murray State retook the lead in the eighth on Mistone's leadoff shot — just his fourth homer of the year. Then Dan Tauken's triple scored Will Vierling from first for a 5-3 lead after the ball caromed off the wall toward center field.
Later in the eighth, the Racers had the bases loaded with no outs after back-to-back walks but James Tallon struck out two and got a groundout to end the threat.
Advertisement
Murray State appeared to win the game after an interference call at second base, but it was overturned after an official review to give Duke another chance. Kelham regrouped after the celebration to get a groundout to first to end it.
Kelham, who threw 43 pitches on Sunday in a three-inning save, struck out four in 2 2/3 innings for his fourth win of the season.
Reid Easterly (9-3) took the loss after allowing two earned runs in three relief innings.
___
AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports
The Associated Press
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox Sports
11 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Vikings agree to 3-year contract with TE Josh Oliver, ease LT Christian Darrisaw back into practice
Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms with tight end Josh Oliver on a three-year contract extension worth more than $23 million on Tuesday, enhancing their commitment to a key part of their running game. Oliver's deal, which was done right before the team took the field for the beginning of the three-day mandatory minicamp, has a maximum value of $27.5 million that includes $19.9 million in guaranteed money. Oliver had career highs last season with 258 receiving yards and three touchdowns while expanding his involvement in the passing attack along with his primary role as a run blocker. With fellow tight end T.J. Hockenson a significant down-field complement to wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, Oliver has benefited by frequently finding himself open on the limited occasions he's running a route. 'We've got weapons everywhere,' Oliver said after practice. Pro Football Focus analysts gave Oliver the best run-blocking grade among all NFL tight ends who played at least half of the blocking snaps in 2024. He also got the ninth-highest overall grade in the league at his position, after he was ranked fourth by PFF in 2023. With tackles Brian O'Neill and Christian Darrisaw bookending the line, Oliver has plenty of help when he's in to block. Darrisaw, whose 2024 season ended when he suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee during a game on Oct. 25, returned to individual practice drills on the field with the team on Tuesday in a significant milestone along the way of his recovery. Darrisaw's readiness for the season opener on Sept. 8 remains in question, but he's trending toward resuming his familiar place on the left side of the line early this fall. The 28-year-old Oliver has begun his third season with Minnesota after signing as a free agent in 2023 on a three-year, $21 million contract after two seasons with Baltimore. The 6-foot-5, 259-pound Oliver, who was a third-round draft pick by Jacksonville in 2019 out of San Jose State, was targeted by coach Kevin O'Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to help aid a running game that has lagged behind their passing attack since their arrival in 2022. The Vikings ranked tied for 19th in the league in 2024 in rushing yards per game, up from 29th in 2023. 'The culture KO and Kwesi have built here, the players in the locker room, man, you love coming to work every day,' Oliver said. 'It's a top-class organization, and I'm just super happy about it.' ___ AP NFL: recommended
Hamilton Spectator
14 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Fisk University women's gymnastics team, the first at an HBCU, to stop competing after 2026
NASHVILLE (AP) — Fisk University's bold experiment in women's gymnastics is coming to an end. The school has announced it is shuttering the program at the end of the 2026 season. Fisk made history in 2023 when it became the first historically Black college or university to launch a women's artistic gymnastics team. Fisk's ambitious move to start the program played a hand three years later in the athletic department choosing to discontinue it. Scheduling became challenging because gymnastics is the only sport at Fisk that does not compete against other HBCU schools, forcing the program to get creative and requiring the team to travel longer distances than the university's other sports. 'While we are tremendously proud of the history our gymnastics team has made in just three years, we look forward to focusing on our conference-affiliated teams to strengthen our impact in the HBCU Athletic Conference,' athletic director Valencia Jordan said in a statement. 'Fisk is grateful for the hard work, dedication and tenacity of its gymnasts, staff members, and coaches who made this program possible.' The school said it will work with the affected athletes and coaches to ensure a 'seamless transition.' The announcement came just weeks after Fisk standout Morgan Price — a three-time All-American who became the first HBCU gymnast to record a perfect 10 — transferred to Arkansas, where she will join her older sister Frankie. Talladega College, an HBCU in Alabama, attempted to follow in Fisk's footsteps in 2024. That program shut down after one season due to financial concerns . ___ AP sports:
San Francisco Chronicle
16 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Mary Lou Retton pleads no contest, fined $100 for DUI, says she's committed to make positive changes
FAIRMONT, (AP) — American gymnastics icon Mary Lou Retton on Tuesday entered a no contest plea to driving under the influence stemming from a May traffic stop in her hometown of Fairmont. A Marion County judge fined her $100, consistent with sentencing guidelines for first-time, non-aggravated offenses, her attorney Edmund J. Rollo said in a statement. In a statement released through her attorney, the 57-year-old Retton said she took full responsibility for her actions. 'What happened was completely unacceptable. I make no excuses,' she said. "To my family, friends and my fans: I have let you down, and for that I am deeply sorry. I am determined to learn and grow from this experience, and I am committed to making positive changes in my life. I truly appreciate your concern, encouragement and continued support." Fairmont police stopped Retton on May 17 following a report about a person in a Porsche driving erratically. According to the criminal complaint, Retton smelled of alcohol and was slurring her words, and she failed a field sobriety test. Officers also reported observing a container of wine in the passenger seat. Retton was 16 when she became the first American female gymnast to win the all-around at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. She also won two silver and two bronze medals to help bring gymnastics into the mainstream in the United States. In 2023, Retton's family disclosed she was recuperating from a rare form of pneumonia that landed her in intensive care. Doctors found her oxygen levels dangerously low. Her medical team considered putting her on a ventilator as her conditioned worsened. Retton went on oxygen treatment and, after weeks in the hospital, improved enough to be sent home. ___
