Murray State
Morehead State
'Breds give up 10 runs in the eighth, but score five in the ninth, win 11-10
4/18/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds went from putting on the dog to being in the doghouse to being the top dog in the space of a few innings, watching a late 6-0 lead evaporate when visiting Morehead State scored 10 runs in the eighth, then plating five in the bottom of the ninth for the 11-10 Ohio Valley Conference win.
Murray State (10-24, 4-8 OVC) was cruising through this rubber game of the series, staking a 6-0 lead through the pitching prowess of freshman Tyler Pittman, who pitched a career game. Pittman allowed no runs on four hits, striking out eight and walking none over seven innings. Pittman left the game with a 6-0 lead.
In the top of the eighth inning, Morehead State (10-22, 4-8 OVC) used five hits, four walks and two 'Breds errors to score 10 runs and take a 10-6 lead.
Murray State threatened in the eighth inning, but left the bases loaded. Pitcher Craig Kraus was able to retire the side in the ninth inning, then the 'Breds came up for a final shot.
Shortstop Alex Stewart led off with a double, then went to third on a wild pitch. Right fielder Scotty Scott walked, and first baseman Josh Foreman doubled in Stewart and sent Scott to third.
Second baseman Derrick Newton popped a one-out double down the right-field line to score Scott and Foreman and close the gap to 10-9. Catcher Chad Fogle singled through the left side, then took second base on the throw from the field, while Newton stayed at third. Left fielder Austin Swain was intentionally walked toload the bases and set up a potential double play.
It appeared that would happen, as third baseman Clint Griggs hit a grounder to short. The relay to second base got Swain out, but the throw to first base was late and went wide, allowing not only Newton to score the game-tying run, but Fogle to score the game-winner from second base.
"Today, after a horrible collapse of our pitching -- after Tyler Pittman was just masterful -- we got ourselves in a position to come back in the eighth inning," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "That takes some work. We were right on the doorstep, but we didn't get it done. We came back in the ninth and got the win.
"I'm just proud of our guys for their perseverance, the way they continued to fight. It would have been real easy to just lay down after that 10-run inning, but we pounded it out.
"We had to take Pittman out after the seventh inning," McDonald said. "He was done. We didn't want to hurt him. He'd thrown enough pitches (100 in seven innings)."
Murray State was led by six batters with two hits each. Foreman went 2-for-5 with a double, a two-run home run in the first inning (his first of the season), two runs and three runs batted in. Pittman went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in the third inning, his fourth of the season. Stewart went 2-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored, while Scott went 2-for-4 with a double. Newton went 2-for-4 with a double, two runs and two RBIs.Left fielder J.D. Merritt also had two hits for the 'Breds, while Griggs had a double.
For Morehead State, Travis Rima went 2-for-5 with a double, while Robert Dittrich went 2-for-5 with two RBIs.
On the mound, Kraus (2-5) got his second win in relief in the series, allowing no runs on no hits, striking out one in 1-2/3 innings. Jesse Rhoades came on in the eighth, allowing four runs (three earned) on two hits, walking one. Chandler Shepherd relieved Rhoades with no outs, allowing three runs on one hit, striking out one and walking two in one-third of an inning. Bart Peach came on in the eighth, allowing three unearned runs on two hits, walking one before getting an out.
For the Eagles, Donnie Spencer (1-1) took the loss in relief, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits, striking out four and walking four in three innings. Casey Campbell started for Morehead, allowing six runs on 11 hits, striking out one in 5-2/3 innings.
Murray State's scheduled game on Tuesday at Western Kentucky has been cancelled. The Thoroughbreds return to OVC action on Saturday, when MSU visits Tennessee Tech for a 1 p.m. double-header. The 'Breds and Tech will also meet on Sunday at 1 p.m. All three games can be heard locally on WRKY (1130 AM, Murray).
