MURRAY — Less than a day removed from making history by becoming the first Murray State baseball team to advance to the NCAA Championship Super Regionals, the Racers came home on Tuesday afternoon.
And as their bus steamed north on the return journey from where they captured the historic Oxford Regional title in Mississippi, Head Coach Dan Skirka received a text on his phone that got his attention.
“When we were about 45 minutes out (still in the state of Tennessee) and they said a crowd was growing. I saw that and didn’t know what to expect,” said the seven-year Racer skipper, who watched his team defeat host Mississippi, 12-11, in Monday night’s winner-take-all second game of the regional championship series.
He and his team soon discovered what was waiting at the end of the journey, capped by an escort from units with the Murray State Police Department, City of Murray Fire and Police Departments and Calloway County Sheriff’s Office. Racer Nation was lining the entrance to Roy Stewart Stadium, greeting the first players off the bus with loud cheers as they soon were absorbed into the hoard.
“It’s pretty neat,” said Skirka. “This community has been awesome. Our alumni have been fantastic and we’ve just been hearing from a lot of different people. Skirka indicated throughout the weekend at Swayze Field — home of Southeastern Conference powerhouse and 2022 College World Series champion Ole Miss — that he had been receiving texts from multiple sources.
“And they’ve been watching. I heard there were a lot of watch parties in town and that’s really neat. It’s a great story and (the players) have earned that.”
Particularly touching to the coach was the presence of many children Tuesday, almost all of whom were seeking autographs from their conquering heroes. Skirka was even asked to sign his name to some items, namely baseballs and jerseys.
“It’s neat. But I know all of the work they put in, and the grind,” Skirka said of seeing his players reap the rewards of hours upon hours of rigorous preparation. “We talk about all of the stuff behind the scenes, we talk about all of the ‘work in the dark’ and to see them get rewarded for that and shine in the light. That’s what makes them special.”
“To see this and be part of the first time in a Super Regional for Murray State is incredible,” said Racer first baseman Luke Mistone after emerging from the bus and immediately mingling with the throng. “This feeling with seeing everybody come out and support us … there’s nothing that beats it.”
“Just the love and support of Racer Nation … this is awesome,” said outfielder Jonathan Hogart, who was the first player to emerge from the bus. He also received a very loud reception as he was the one that caught the fly ball for the third and final out Monday night. “Even with summer break, we’ve got athletes here (entering summer workouts in other sports) still showing up for us today, along with our families and friends. It’s awesome.
“God bless them all … and go Racers!”