The Southern Illinois baseball team dropped its final game before the start of conference play, a 7-3 decision at Murray State.

Sophomore third baseman Kipp Moore — not to be confused with Nashville recording artist Kip Moore — doubled, tripled and drove in four runs for as the Racers (15-17) earned the season split with SIU (18-11-1).

Both of Moore’s extra-base hits came in three-run innings for Murray State. His second-inning double drove in the game’s first two runs and his fifth-inning triple extended the lead to 6-3. 

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Junior first baseman Ramsey Scott added a double and two RBIs for the Racers.

Junior right-hander Austin Dubsky (3-3, 5.84 ERA) earned the win for Murray State with five innings of three-run baseball with six strikeouts and three walks.

Senior righty Bryce Sablotny (2-3, 6.19 ERA) was hit with the loss after allowing six runs in 4.1 innings with four strikeouts and one walk.

Sophomore second baseman Connor Kopach collected a game-high three hits, including a triple to lead off the game, for the Salukis. Kopach drove in a run and scored one himself, and he was the only Saluki to not strike out.

The Salukis return home Friday for the first of a three-game series with Indiana State. Junior lefty Joey Marciano (2-3, 3.79 ERA) will take the mound for Southern.

Thomas Donley can be reached at [email protected] or at 618-536-3307.