Murray State
Alabama-Birmingham
'Breds cede four unearned runs in 7th, fall 10-5 at UAB; series ends Sunday
2/21/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Just as they did in their season-opening game yesterday, the Murray State Thoroughbreds started today's game at Alabama-Birmingham on a positive note, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning, but MSU allowed five runs in the seventh inning -- four of them unearned -- in this afternoon's 10-5 loss.
The third and final game of this series will be played tomorrow (Sunday) at 1 p.m.
In the top of the first, center fielder Tyler Pittman hit a one-out solo home run to put the 'Breds (0-2) on the board. Shortstop Alex Stewart drew a two-out walk, then went to third on a single by designated hitter Derrick Newton. Third baseman James Akin singled both runners in to give Murray State an early 3-0 lead.
In the bottom half of the inning, UAB (3-0) countered with two runs when Daniel Hill drew a two-out walk, then went to second on a single by Nathan McCorkle. Cole Helms doubled both runners in to cut the MSU lead to 3-2 at the end of the first inning.
UAB tied the game in the fourth inning when Matt Womble led off with a double, then scored on a single by Sam Clark to even the game at 3-3.
The Blazers pushed ahead in the sixth inning when Eugene Rodriguez led off with a double, then moved to third on a Womble single. Rodriguez scored on a groundout, moving Womble to second, then Womble stole third and scored on a groundout to give UAB a 5-3 lead.
In the seventh inning, two Murray State errors led to four unearned UAB runs. McCorkle reached on a one-out single, then scored on a double by Helms. Helms stole third, then scored when Rodriguez reached on a fielder's error. Womble also reached on an error, moving Rodriguez to second, then a single by Zac Ward loaded the bases. Clark grounded out, scoring Rodriguez, then Josh Miljavac singled in Womble, moving Ward to third. Ward scored on a wild pitch to give the Blazers a 10-3 lead after seven.
Murray State plaed two runs in the ninth when pinch-hitter Ike Bridwell led off with a walk. Pinch-hitter Josh Foreman singled to left, then right fielder Clint Griggs hit a two-out single to score Bridwell and move Foreman to second. Foreman scored on a single by Pittman to end the scoring at 10-5.
"We got off to a good start and got some runs early, but we didn't keep adding to it," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "It's a nine-inning game, and we didn't keep it going. Our pitchers pitched well enough to win today, but we didn't do anything behind them."
Murray State was led offensively by Pittman, who went 2-for-5 with a home run and two runs batted in; Griggs, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI; and Newton, who went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Akin also drove in two runs for the 'Breds.
The UAB offense was paced by McCorkle, who went 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Helms went 2-for-4 with two doubles, three RBIs and a run, while Womble went 2-for-4 with a double and three runs, and Clark went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Rodriguez scored twice for the Blazers, while Miljavac had two RBIs.
On the mound, Billy Fares (0-1) took the loss, allowing five runs on eight hits, striking out three and walking three in 5-1/3 innings. West Harris came on in the sixth inning, allowing five runs (one earned) on four hits, striking out two and walking one in 2-2/3 innings.
For the Blazers, Jacob Legg (1-0) got the win in relief, allowing two runs on five hits, striking out five and walking two in four innings. Grant Addison started for UAB, allowing three runs on four hits, striking out three and walking two in five innings.
