Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Akron
'Breds' rally falls short in loss to Akron
3/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Trailing 5-0 going into the bottom of the seventh inning, Murray State scored once in the seventh and twice in the eighth to cut the margin to two runs, but visiting Akron plated three runs in the ninth inning to gain the 8-3 win this afternoon at MSU's Reagan Field.
Murray State (2-11) scored those three runs in 1-1/3 innings, touching Akron relievers Tony Samad and Pat Gliha for two hits each, but left two runners on base each in the eighth and ninth innings.
In the seventh inning, designated hitter Seth Hudson reached base on a two-out error. Left fielder Austin Swain then singled to center, moving Hudson to second, and Hudson scored on a single by right fielder Clint Griggs to cut the Akron lead to 5-1.
In the eighth inning, second baseman Derrick Newton led off with a double, then shortstop Alex Stewart doubled him in. Stewart went to third on a groundout, then scored on a wild pitch to further cut the Zips' lead to 5-3.
Akron (5-5) used three hits in the ninth inning to score three runs, the biggest hit being a two-run double by Doug Kruthaupt.
Griggs went 2-for-3 with a double and a run batted in, while Hudson went 2-for-4 with a run scored and center fielder J.D. Merritt went 2-for-5.
Akron was led by Billy McKinney, who went 3-for-5 with three runs scored. Craig Welch went 2-for-4 with a home run, a run scored and three RBIs, while Andy Capraruolo went 2-for-5 with two runs and an RBI.
On the mound, MSU's Jon Ross Shelton (1-2) pitched well, allowing only two runs (one earned) on three hits, striking out three and walking two in 5-1/3 innings. Chandler Shepherd came on in the sixth, allowing three runs on four hits, striking out two in 1-2/3 innings, while West Harris closed out the game, allowing three runs on three hits, striking out three in two innings.
For Akron, Ross Liersemann (1-1) got the win, allowing no runs on three hits, striking out eight and walking two in six innings. Samad came on in the seventh, allowing one unearned run on two hits, striking out one in one inning. Gliha entered in the eighth, allowing two runs on two hits, walking one in one-third of an inning. Darek Stanfield earned his second save of the season, allowing no runs on three hits, striking out two in 1-2/3 innings.
The 10 hits by the Thoroughbreds is the second-most this season, with seven of those hits coming in the last three innings.
"I thought we were on a tear when we got within two in the eighth," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "Our kids are showing a lot of resiliency. I told them that as long as they are fighting, we'll stand and fight together.
"There is a lot of season still left, and a lot of our players are still getting their first taste of Division I experince. We will get better as the year goes along."
Murray State visits Louisville for a two-day two-game set, with a Tuesday game at 2 p.m. CT and a Wednesday game at 2 p.m. CT.
