Murray State University Athletics
'Breds End OVC Title Season With Loss At No. 12 Southern Miss
5/31/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
NCAA Regional Tournament host Southern Mississippi scored nine runs in the top of the first inning, and the Murray State Thoroughbreds could not recover, as the Golden Eagles eliminated the 'Breds 18-0 this afternoon. MSU head coach Mike Thieke ends his 10-year Murray State career not in Murray or in Paducah, but in the NCAA Championship.
Against Southern Miss (44-15), Murray State pitchers had problems with control early, as starter Craig Ringwald (5-5) allowed six runs on four hits, walking two before MSU could get an out.
Billy Fares came on in the first inning, allowing three runs on two hits, walking two in one inning. Ian Moore started the second inning, allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits, striking out two and walking four in 2-2/3 innings, while Craig Kraus came on in the fourth, allowing two runs on five hits, striking out two and walking one in 3-1/3 innings.
Bart Peach threw in the eighth inning, allowing three runs on three hits, striking out one in one inning, while Chandler Shepherd finished the game, allowing one run on one hit, striking out one and walking one in an inning.
Murray State (25-31) was held to six hits, with Charlie Ward going 2-for-3 and Brett McCutchan going 2-for-4. Ronnie Seets and Dan McAleavy also got hits for the 'Breds.
"We have to tip our hat to Southern Mississippi," said Thieke. "They did a great job of coming out and putting the game away early. Their hitters were selecting the pitches to hit and the pitches to lay off. They were really ready to go today. The key for us was to contain them in the first three innings and, obviously, we didn't."
"Their hitters were very selective," Ringwald agreed. "When they got a pitch they could handle, they jumped on it. I made a few good pitches, but they were so good at passing on the balls that were away, and that's were I usually pitch."
"(USM starter Cliff) Russum hit his spots and did a good job," McCutchan said. "Pitching with a 9-0 lead was good, too."
Asked about his record-setting season, McCutchan said, "My teammates helped me to break those records. Because of them, I was able to attain my goals. Playing in the NCAA Regional was just the icing on the cake."
Asked about this being his last game at Murray State, Thieke said, "What overshadowed that was my ball club. They played with so much heart and determination that they were able to keep my mind off of that (being his last game). At the start of the year, we told this team that we would take them as far as we could, and our seniors really did a good job of motivating and leading this team here."
Murray State won the Ohio Valley Conference Championship Tournament, earning the automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.
