DURHAM — Duke baseball will have to wait at least another year for a return trip to the College World Series.
Following the Blue Devils’ 5-4 loss to Murray State, the Racers (44-15) are Omaha bound for the first time in program history. Duke (41-21), which was trying to get to the College World Series for the first time since 1961, has lost its last four super regional series.
Murray State, which was making its debut in the super regional round, hadn’t won an NCAA Tournament game since 1979 before this postseason.
Duke had a 3-2 lead entering the seventh inning, but the Racers hit two home runs and an RBI triple across the next two innings to take a 5-3 lead. The Blue Devils got one back with a home run by Macon Winslow in the eighth inning, but couldn’t push across the tying run in the ninth inning.
Initially, the game was going to end with a controversial runners interference call on a potential double-play ball. The Racers celebrated with a dogpile before the call was overturned and Duke was given another shot with two outs. But a groundout ended the game and Murray State’s second dogpile celebration counted.
The USA TODAY Sports Network is live from Jack Coombs Field for Duke’s rubber match in the Durham Super Regional vs. Murray State. Follow along for live updates.
Duke baseball live score vs Murray State
Live scoreboard is below live updates and game highlights:
Duke baseball lost 5-4 to Murray State, which will head to the College World Series for the first time in program history.
Murray State wins 5-4 at Duke to clinch its first trip to the College World Series.
Runner interference was overturned, giving Duke a chance with two outs.
Duke vs. Murray State was about to end on a runner interference call, but it was overturned. Two outs in the ninth inning.
James Tallon worked around a leadoff walk to keep Murray State from adding to its lead. Duke trails 5-4 as we head to the bottom of the ninth inning.
Duke trails Murray State 5-4 as we head to the ninth inning.
Macon Winslow hit a two-out home run to left field. Duke trails 5-4 in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Murray State scored two runs in the top of the eighth inning to take a 5-3 lead vs. Duke.
James Tallon retired Murray State’s top three hitters in the lineup to limit the damage to two runs in the eighth inning. Duke trails 5-3 as we head to the bottom of the eighth.
Murray State’s first five batters in the eighth inning: home run, hit by pitch, RBI double, walk, walk.
Dan Tauken hits an RBI double to right field, extending Murray State’s lead to 5-3 against Duke in the eighth inning. Tauken advanced to third on the throw.
Luke Mistone hit a solo home run to left field to lead off the eighth inning, giving Murray State a 4-3 lead against Duke. The Racers have hit three home runs, including two to start an inning.
Duke and Murray State are tied at 3 as we head to the eighth inning.
Jonathan Hogart’s solo home run to left field knotted Murray State up with Duke. The score is tied at 3 as we head to the bottom of the seventh inning.
Jonathan Hogart homers for the second time tonight. With an 0-2 count, Hogart hit it 413 feet beyond the left-field wall. The ball knocked some pine needles off a pine tree before landing. Duke and Murray State are tied at 3 in the seventh inning.
Duke has a 3-2 lead as we head to the top of the seventh inning.
Duke has a 3-2 lead as we head to the bottom of the sixth inning.
Duke carries a 3-2 lead vs. Murray State into the sixth inning.
Left-handed pitcher Reid Easterly allowed a two-out single, but Wallace Clark made a great play at shortstop on a groundout to get the Blue Devils out of the inning. Duke has a 3-2 lead as we head to the bottom of the fifth inning.
Duke freshman right-handed pitcher Henry Zatkowski allowed two runs on five hits in four innings. Zatkowski issued one walk and logged a career-best seven strikeouts. He’s replaced by Reid Easterly.
Duke took a 3-2 lead on a solo home run by Jake Berger to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning. The Blue Devils carry a 3-2 lead into the fifth inning.
Murray State right fielder Dustin Mercer made an incredible catch at the wall off the bat of AJ Gracia, preventing Duke from adding to its lead in the fourth inning.
Jake Berger led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a solo home run to center field. Duke has its first lead, 3-2, vs. Murray State.
Duke starting pitcher Henry Zatkowski retired six consecutive batters before issuing a two-out walk in the top of the fourth inning. Zatkowski got out of the inning with a swinging strikeout. He hasn’t allowed a hit since the first inning.
Jake Hyde’s 431-foot home run tied the game at 2. Duke and Murray State are onto the fourth inning.
Jake Hyde, who plated Duke’s first run with a sacrifice fly, hit a solo home run to right-center field in the third inning to tie the game at 2 vs. Murray State.
Duke starting pitcher Henry Zatkowski appears to have settled down after a shaky start. He works his first 1-2-3 inning in the top of the third. Murray State leads 2-1.
Duke got two on with two out, but AJ Gracia had a deep flyout to end the threat. Murray State carries a 2-1 lead into the third inning.
Duke starting pitcher Henry Zatkowski hit a batter with two outs, but Murray State didn’t score a run in the second. The Blue Devils trail 2-1 as we head to the bottom of the second inning.
Duke scored a run on Jake Hyde’s sacrifice fly, but Murray State will carry a 2-1 lead into the second inning.
Jake Hyde lifted a ball to right field for a sacrifice fly to plate Duke’s first run. The Blue Devils trail 2-1 in the bottom of the first inning.
Murray State will carry a 2-0 lead against Duke into the bottom of the first inning. The Racers scored two runs on five hits, but left the bases loaded after the Blue Devils got consecutive outs to get out of the jam.
Following a one-out double by Carson Garner, Dom Decker followed with an RBI single that extended Murray State’s lead to 2-0. Early mound visit for Duke.
Leadoff hitter Jonathan Hogart hit a solo home run to left field, giving Murray State a 1-0 lead against Duke in the first inning.
Duke baseball vs Murray State starting lineupDuke starting lineupWallace Clark, SSAJ Gracia, CFBen Miller, 3BJake Hyde, 1BBen Rounds, DHTyler Albright, LFMacon Winslow, CJake Berger, 2BKyle Johnson, RFMurray State starting lineupJonathan Hogart, CFDustin Mercer, RFCarson Garner, 3BDom Decker, 2BLuke Mistone, 1BWill Vierling, CDan Tauken, LFNico Bermeo, DHConner Cunningham, SSWhat time does Duke baseball vs Murray State start? Date: Monday, June 9Time: 7 p.m. ETWhere: Jack Coombs Field in DurhamWhat TV channel is Duke baseball vs Murray State on today?
Clay Matvick and Gregg Olson will have the TV call on ESPN.
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Duke baseball starting pitcher
Right-handed pitcher Henry Zatkowski (5-2, 4.85 ERA) will be Duke’s starting pitcher against Murray State in Game 3 of the Durham Super Regional.
Murray State baseball starting pitcher
Right-handed pitcher Kane Elmy (6-2, 4.33 ERA) will be Murray State’s starting pitcher against Duke in Game 3 of the Durham Super Regional.
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Looking to buy Duke baseball vs. Murray State tickets for the Durham Super Regional? We’ve got you covered.
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Durham Super Regional scheduleSaturday, June 7Game 1: Duke 7, Murray State 4Sunday, June 8Game 2: Murray State 19, Duke 9Monday, June 9Game 3: Duke vs. Murray State, 7 p.m., ESPNWhere to watch Durham Super Regional
Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.