Murray State
Memphis
'Breds swept by Memphis, prepare for Arkansas State
3/7/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds were able to exact some revenge against Memphis pitcher Derek Hankins, but it wasn't enough to pull out the win, as the 'Breds were swept in today's home double-header against the Tigers, 8-5 and 7-2.
Hankins earned Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week honors after striking out 17 'Breds in their game on Feb. 28 in the Service Academy Classic in Millington, Tenn., but didn't make it out of the first inning of the first game today, allowing five runs in two-thirds of an inning.
Memphis (6-2) scored first in the game, as Chad House led off with a double and scored on Kurt Welch's double.
Murray State (1-8) came off the deck with five runs on five hits in the inning. With one out, second baseman Seth Hudson was hit by a pitch and third baseman Clint Griggs slapped a single down the right-field line, moving Hudson to third. Griggs stole second, and shortstop Alex Stewart popped a two-out single into short right field, scoring Hudson and Griggs and putting MSU ahead 2-1.
First baseman Josh Foreman got an infield single, then center fielder Tyler Pittman singled to right to score Stewart and move Foreman to third. Catcher Bo Baxter walked to load the bases, then right fielder J.D. Merritt singled in Foreman and Pittman to give the 'Breds a 5-1 lead and chase Hankins.
Memphis scored five runs in the fifth inning with the help of a two-RBI double by Josh Payne, and RBI double by Welch, and a two-run home run by Adam Amar.
In the sixth, the Tigers scored again when a Payne double scored Michael Lewis, then scored their last run in the seventh when Amar scored on a fielder's choice.
The 'Breds were held to one hit over the last six innings by Tiger pitching.
Pittman went 2-for-4 to lead Murray State, while Stewart had two runs batted in.
Billy Fares started on the mound for the 'Breds and pitched well through the first four innings, allowing five runs on seven hits, striking out six and walking one in four-plus innings. Chandler Shepherd (0-1) took the loss in relief, allowing three runs on four hits, striking out two and walking none in three innings.
Game 2 of today's twinbill was a tight-knit affair until a three-run home run by Payne gave Memphis the push it needed to win 7-2.
Memphis scored twice in the first inning, then added two more in the third. MSU responded in the fourth inning when Stewart drew a one-out walk and first baseman Geoff Kirksey hit a single to left-center. Both runners advanced on a groundout, then Stewart scored on an error, closing the 'Breds' deficit to 4-1.
In the top of the seventh inning, with a heavy wind blowing out to right, Payne lofted a three-run home run over the fence to push the Tigers' lead to 7-1.
Murray State didn't go quietly, as center fielder Scotty Scott led off the seventh with a single, then Griggs was hit by a pitch. After a double play erased Griggs, Stewart drew a walk and Kirksey doubled in Scott for the final run of the game.
Kirksey went 2-for-4 with a double to lead the 'Breds at the plate.
Jake Ociesa (0-2) started the game, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits, striking out two and walking sen in 3-1/3 innings. Jon Ross Shelton came on in the fourth, allowing three runs on two hits, striking out seven and walking five in 3-2/3 innings.
"We were in two good ball games today," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "We had a chance to win both. In the second game, we were right in it until they got that late home run.
"Memphis is a veteran club, mostly seniors, and are playing well. We are a very young team. We aren't beating ourselves; we're putting ourselves in a position to win the games. We just need one more hit at the right time or one more defensive play at the right time. We just have to keep hanging in there and playing hard."
Murray State visit regional rival Arkansas State (8-6) on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The 'Breds then return home for a three-game weekend series against Akron, with a double-header on Saturday at noon and a single game on Sunday at noon.
