Murray State
Arkansas State
'Breds pick up eight hits, but fall at Arkansas State 10-5
3/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds got off of their offensive schneid, slapping out eight hits at Arkansas State tonight, but the homestanding Indians took the game 10-5.
The 'Breds (1-9) got on the scoreboard first, plating two runs in the top of the first inning. Third baseman Clint Griggs started things off with a leadoff home run to left field. Right fielder J.D. Merritt then got an infield single, then moved to second on a groundout. Merritt got to third on an error, then scored on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Geoff Kirksey.
Arkansas State (9-6) responded in the bottom half of the inning with four runs, only one of which was earned, using a two-run double by Chris Rich, two MSU errors and a passed ball to score the runs.
ASU plated two in the third inning, but Murray State responded in the top of the fourth when catcher Bo Baxter reached on a two-out error, then stole second base. Center fielder Scotty Scott sent a single up the middle to score Baxter, cutting the Indians' lead to 6-3.
Arkansas State scored four more runs in the bottom of the sixth, but Murray State rallied in the ninth inning, as James Akin led off the inning with a pinch-hit walk. Pinch-hitter Seth Hudson got a bunt single to move Akin to second, then Akin got to third on a flyout. Griggs slapped a single to score Akin and move Hudson to second, then Tyler Pittman singled to load the bases. Shortstop Alex Stewart drew a walk to score Hudson, but the scoring ended there at 10-5.
Griggs went 2-for-5 with a home run, a run scored and two runs batted in, while Merritt went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
For Arkansas State, Andy Runyan went 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI, while Rich went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, two runs and three RBIs. Hudson Smart went 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Brad Hayes had a double for ASU.
On the mound, West Harris (0-1) started and took the loss, allowing six runs (three earned) on six hits, striking out three and walking three in 2-2/3 innings. Bart Peach came on in relief in the third inning, allowing four runs on six hits, striking out five and walking three in 5-1/3 innings.
For Arkansas State Stephen Tharp (2-0) got the win, allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits, striking out eight and walking none in 6-1/3 innings. Matt Hicks came on in the seventh, allowing two runs on three hits, striking out three and walking two in two innings, while Ryan Hamilton closed out the game, allowing no runs on no hits, walking one in two-thirds of an inning.
Murray State returns home for a three-game series against former Ohio Valley Conference member Akron (3-4). The teams will play a double-header on Saturday at noon and a single game on Sunday at noon at Reagan Field.
