Murray State to Play Game at Kentucky High School

Racers' home field undergoing renovations, forcing neutral site games

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Murray State baseball, which made a surprise run to the 2025 College World Series, will play a game this Tuesday against Kentucky State at McCracken County High School in Paducah, Kentucky. The Racers' home field, Johnny Reagan Field, is undergoing renovations, forcing the team to play its first three series of the 2026 season at neutral sites.

Why it matters

This game at a high school venue highlights the challenges smaller college baseball programs can face when their home facilities require extensive renovations. It also showcases the strong baseball tradition in Kentucky, with McCracken County High School having a notable program of its own.

The details

Due to the ongoing renovations at Johnny Reagan Field, Murray State's home ballpark, the Ohio Valley Conference program announced in late January that its first three series of the 2026 season would be moved to neutral sites. The Racers have already played series against Ohio, Butler, and Mercyhurst at the home parks of Southern Illinois, Southeast Missouri State, and Vanderbilt.

  • The game against Kentucky State was originally scheduled to be played at home.
  • On Monday, Murray State announced the game has now been moved to McCracken County High School in Paducah, Kentucky.

The players

Dan Skirka

Murray State head coach

Zach Hobbs

McCracken County High School head coach, recently inducted into the Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame

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What they’re saying

“'Turf is coming along. Home games at Johnny Reagan Field will be happening soon. Hang with us Racer Nation,'”

— Dan Skirka, Murray State head coach (X)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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