As he walked into Charles Schwab Field Omaha on Wednesday, it hadn’t yet sunk in for Jackson McCoy – not even after he saw the Murray State logo in the bullpen. This was not where he expected to be at the end of the 2025 college baseball season, but he can’t say he’s surprised.
The Booneville High School product is a part of the Murray State team that has made an unexpected run to the Men’s College World Series. A No. 4 seed entering the postseason, the Racers upset Ole Miss in the regionals and then beat Duke in the super regionals to advance to Omaha for the first time in program history.
“Everybody says it’s a Cinderella here, but I don’t think that personally,” McCoy said. “I think we do deserve to be here, and I’m not shocked that we’re here, because I know the guys that we have.”
A junior outfielder, McCoy is in his first season at Murray State. He began his collegiate career at Northeast Mississippi Community College, then transferred to Southern Illinois for the 2024 season. After landing at Murray State last summer, McCoy quickly became convinced the Racers could have a great 2025 season. Entering Saturday’s MCWS opener against UCLA – first pitch is at 1 p.m. – Murray State is 44-15 and has won 10 of its last 12 games.
McCoy was a mainstay in the lineup before a hand injury relegated him to the dugout in early May. So while he hasn’t been able to help the Racers on the field, he’s had a front row seat to this magical postseason run.
“I’m glad I’m along for the ride, though, at least,” he said. “It’s been amazing. Obviously I’d love to be out there and be able to help them on the field, but I’m very blessed to be able to be by their side and give them support throughout the game and know I’ve got their back whatever happens, and I’m here to support them no matter what.”
McCoy was a star player at Booneville, leading the Blue Devils to the Class 3A state championship as a senior in 2021. He batted .529 that season, and he was 9-0 with a 0.55 ERA on the mound. At Northeast, McCoy batted .318 with 11 home runs and 87 RBIs over two seasons.
After a redshirt season at Southern Illinois, he entered the transfer portal the day it opened and immediately got a call from Murray State head coach Dan Skirka. On another call two days later, McCoy told Skirka he was coming to Murray State.
Skirka has pushed all the right buttons during this NCAA run, and that’s no surprise to McCoy.
“I’m taking him over anybody, I don’t care whose name you throw out there,” he said. “He builds relationships with each and every one of his players. That’s something you don’t get a lot from D-I coaches. I couldn’t ask for a better coach to play for, and it makes it easier to go out each day knowing that he’s leading us.”
Murray State has survived some nerve-wracking moments the past couple of weeks. The Racers nearly blew a nine-run lead against Ole Miss in the Oxford Regional title game, and then they edged Duke 5-4 in Game 3 of the super regional.
“We’re a tough team,” McCoy said. “Every guy on this team works his butt off. We don’t take the days of practice for granted. We work hard. All these guys are here to play baseball; we’re not here for anything else.”
Getting to face Ole Miss was an especially cool moment for McCoy, and not just because Oxford is so close to home. He grew up a Mississippi State fan, so that series win was a bit personal.
“That was an unreal experience as well – 12,000 people rooting against you, but able to overcome it,” he said. “I’ve hated Ole Miss my whole life, so it was even better.”
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