Murray State
Akron
'Breds pick up first home win in double-header split with Akron
3/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds picked up their first home win of the season in an impressive 6-3 win over visiting Akron this afternoon, the latter game of a double-header played at Reagan Field. The teams will conclude the series tomorrow (Sunday) at noon.
Murray State dropped the first game 4-2.
In the second game of the twinbill, Murray State (2-10) plated four unearned runs in the seventh inning to break a 2-2 tie.
Third baseman Clint Griggs led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch, then right fielder J.D. Merritt drew a walk. Shortstop Alex Stewart sacrificed them over with a bunt, then designated hitter Geoff Kirksey was intentionally walked to load the bases.
Left fielder Ike Bridwell hit a comebacker to the mound, but UA pitcher Tony Samad's throw home was muffed by the catcher, and two runs came in, with Bridwell at second and Kirksey at third. First baseman Josh Foreman hit into a fielder's choice in which Kirksey was caught in a rundown between third and home, but Foreman advanced to second base, with Bridwell stopping at third.
Center fielder Scotty Scott hit a single into right-center field to score Bridwell and Foreman, giving MSU a 6-2 lead after seven innings.
Murray State first scored in the third inning when Griggs led off with a double, Merritt walked, and both scored on a single by Kirksey to put the 'Breds ahead 2-1 after three innings.
Scott went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in and two stolen bases to lead MSU. Kirksey also had two RBIs, while Griggs and Merritt each scored twice for the 'Breds and Stewart and Griggs each had a double.
Akron was paced by Charlie Lenhard, who went 2-for-4 with a triple, and Andy Capraruolo, who went 2-for-4 with a double.
On the mound, Billy Fares (1-1) pitched a gem, allowing two runs on six hits, striking out eight and walking two in seven innings. Bart Peach came on in the eighth, allowing one unearned run on two hits, striking out two in two innings.
Pat Watt (0-1) took the loss for Akron, allowing four runs (two earned) on four hits, striking out 12 and walking four in six-plus innings. Samad came on in the seventh, allowing two unearned runs on one hit, striking out two and walking one in two innings.
Akron (4-5) won a nip-and-tuck battle in the first game of the day, taking a 4-2 decision in the seven-inning game.
The Zips were leading 2-0 in the bottom of the third inning when Murray State tied the game. Designated hitter Seth Hudson led off with a single, then moved to second on left fielder Austin Swain's sacrifice bunt. Griggs was hit by a pitch, then center fielder Tyler Pittman reached on a fielder's choice, with Griggs getting out at second, but Hudson moving to third.
Second baseman Derrick Newton walked to load the bases, and Stewart singled in Hudson and Pittman to even the game at 2-2 after three innings.
Akron scored one run in the fifth inning and one in the sixth for the difference. In the sixth inning, MSU left the bases loaded when Newton led off with a single, then Kirksey hit a one-out single. Third baseman James Akin grounded out, moving Newton and Kirksey up a base, then Bridwell was hit by a pitch to load the bases, but Hudson flied out to end the inning.
Newton went 2-for-3 for the 'Breds, while Hudson also went 2-for-3. Stewart had two RBIs to lead MSU.
Capraruolo led the Zips, going 2-for-4 with a triple, while Brady Steineck went 2-for-3.
On the mound, Craig Kraus (0-2) took the hard loss for Murray State, going the distance and allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits, striking out four and walking two in seven innings.
For Akron, Billy McKinney (2-1) got the win, allowing two runs on six hits, striking out four and walking two in six innings. Darek Stanfield got his first save of the season for the Zips, allowing one hit and striking out one in one inning.
"We were able to take advantage of some breaks," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald of the Game 2 win. "I knew that if we kept our heads up and kept trying, we would get some breaks to go our way. We hit pretty well, and our defense really picked us up. Billy Fares did an excellent job on the mound. We need to ride this momentum from this win."
