Murray State
Tennessee Tech
'Breds slug five home runs in twinbill split at Tennessee Tech
4/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds slammed five home runs -- including freshman left field Austin Swain's first home run in any baseball competition -- as MSU earned a sweep of its Ohio Valley Conference double-header at Tennessee Tech. Murray State won the second game 7-3 after falling in a hard-fought battle in Game 1, 17-11.
In Game 2, the 'Breds (11-25, 5-9 OVC) scored three runs in the first inning as sophomore pitcher cruised to the 7-3 win.
Designated hitter Clint Griggs led off the game with a single, then went to second on an failed pickoff attempt. Right fielder Scotty Scott slapped a two-out double, scoring Pittman, then third baseman James Akin pounded his first career home run to give MSU a 3-0 lead.
Tennessee Tech (12-18, 8-6 OVC) scored a run in the bottom of the second, but Murray State responded with a two-run fourth inning. Catcher Chad Fogle hit a two-out single up the middle, then scored on Swain's home run, the first of his life, to give MSU a 5-1 lead.
The Golden Eagles closed the gap with a two-run homer by Brandon Selvog to close to within 5-3.
MSU countered in the sixth inning with two runs of its own, as first baseman struck out, but reached first base on a wild pitch. Second baseman Derrick Newton singled through the left side, then Newton and Foreman each got stolen bases. Swain pounded a triple, scoring the two runners and closing the scoring at 7-3.
Swain went 3-for-3 with a home run, a triple, one run scored and four runs batted in. Scott had a double for the 'Beds, while Akin had two RBIs.
For Tennessee Tech, Chris Gant went 2-for-2 with a double, while Selvog had two RBIs with a home run.
On the mound, Fares (3-5) pitched six great innings, allowing three runs on six hits, striking out five and walking none in getting his first OVC win of the season. Craig Kraus closed out the game, allowing no hits and striking out one in one inning.
Tech's Collins Hughes (2-2) allowed seven runs on nine hits, striking out 13 and walking none in seven innings in the complete-game loss.
In the first game of the day, Tech scored five runs in the first inning, getting out to as much as a 13-3 lead en route to the 17-11 win.
Murray State drew first blood, scoring twice in the top of the first when Griggs led off with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt from center fielder Tyler Pittman, then scored on a sac fly from shortstop Alex Stewart. Scott doubled, then Foreman doubled him in to give MSU a 2-0 lead.
Tech scored five in the first and three in the second inning before Murray State scored one in the third when Stewart led off with a double, when to third on a sac bunt by Scott, then scored onn a wild pitch to cut the Tech lead to 8-3.
The Golden Eagles scored two in the fourth and three in the fifth to go ahead 13-3, but MSU came off the deck with five runs in the sixth. Designated hitter Ike Bridwell led off with a walk, then catcher Bo Baxter walked and second baseman Seth Hudson walked to load the bases. Griggs blasted a grand slam to cut the deficit to 13-7, then Scott hit a solo shot to close the gap to 13-8.
TTU scored four in the sixth inning to push out to a 17-8 lead, but MSU got one back in the seventh when Baxter hit a single and Hudson doubled down the right-field line. Baxter scored on a sacrifice by Griggs to cut the lead to 17-9.
In the ninth inning, Murray State scored two on a two-run shot by Pittman, but couldn't overcome the deficit, as Tech won 17-11.
Foreman went 4-for-5 with a double, while Clint Griggs had three hits with two doubles and a grand slam, three runs and five RBIs. Scott also had three hits with a double, a home run and two runs scored. Pittman also hit a home run for MSU.
Tech's Kenny Stiles went 4-for-4 with a double, a run and five RBIs.
On the mound, Jon Ross Shelton (4-3) had a rough outing, allowing seven runs on sen hits, striking out one and walking two in one-plus innings. Charlie Wade came on in the second, allowing six runs (four earned) on nine hits, walking two in 3-2/3 innings. Chander Shepherd closed out the game, allowing four runs (one earned) on six hits, striking out four and walking one on 3-1/3 innings.
For Tech, Ben Pincus (2-1) got the win, allowing seven runs on nine hits, striking out four and walking five in five innings. Kyle Copeland got the save, allowing four runs on six hits, striking out three and walking two in four innings.
"In the first game, we made a few misplays in the field, but in the second game, more things went our way," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "Billy Fares pitched well, and we got some big hits. Austin Swain hit the first home run of his life, but I knew he could do something like this. He has improved so much and made significant adjustments. You can really see the ball jump off ihs bat now."
Murray State will play the rubber game of this series tomorrow (Sunday) at 11 a.m., changed from the original 1 p.m. time due to the threat of inclement weather.
