Murray State
Tennessee Tech
'Breds' score six in the first inning, but miscues undo MSU 11-10
4/25/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds started out strong in its Ohio Valley Conference game at Tennessee Tech, scoring six runs in the first inning and taking as much as an 8-1 lead midway through the sixth inning, but four MSU miscues led to 10 unearned runs in the 'Breds' 11-10 loss this afternoon.
Murray State (11-25, 5-10 OVC) opened the game on a strong note, as pitcher Tyler Pittman smacked a one-out single, followed by a single by shortstop Alex Stewart, moving Pittman to third. Stewart reached second on a wild pitch, then right fielder Scotty Scott walked to load the bases.
First baseman Josh Foreman singled in Pittman and Stewart, and left fielder Austin Swain walked to load the bases again. Center fielder J.D. Merritt hit a long double to left field, scoring Scott and Foreman, then Swain scored when catcher Chad Fogle reached on a fielder's error. A groundout scored Merritt, and MSU had an early 6-0 lead.
Tennessee Tech (13-18, 9-6 OVC) scored a run in the bottom of the first to close the gap to 6-1, then Pittman and Tech pitcher Eric Brewer settled in, with both pitchers no allowing a run in the next four innings, and Pittman retiring 11 straight batters.
The 'Breds struck again in the sixth inning, when third baseman Seth Hudson led off with a single, then went to second on a groundout. Pittman laced a triple up the right-field line, scoring Hudson, then Pittman scored on a groundout to give Murray State an 8-1 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, however, disaster struck, as five Tennessee Tech hits and three Murray State errors combined to allow seven unearned runs to cross the plate, tying the game at 8-8.
The Golden Eagles again took advantage of an MSU miscue in the seventh inning, as Tech scored three unearned runs on three hits and one error that prolonged the inning.
Undaunted, Murray State scored two runs in the eighth inning when Hudson drew a one-out walk and Griggs hit a single just behind second base, but Hudson had the prescience to motor to third. Pittman hit a single to center, scoring Hudson, and both runners advanced on a passed ball. Griggs scored on a groundout, but MSU could garner no more runs, as the scoring ended at 11-10.
Pittman led the 'Breds' bats, going 4-for-5 with a triple, two runs scored and two runs batted in. Merritt had a double for MSU, while Hudson scored twice and Foreman and Merritt had two RBIs apiece.
For Tech, Brandon Selvog went 3-for-5 with two doubles, while Philip Hatch had two hits, including a double, while Josh Eye also had two hits. JD Druckenmiller had a grand slam, scored twice and had four RBIs for the Golden Eagles, while Dustin Page also scored twice. Kenny Stiles had two runs and three RBIs, while Brent Bilodeau doubled and had two RBIs.
On the mound, West Harris took the loss, despite pitching well, allowing four unearned runs on five hits, striking out three and walking one in 2-2/3 innings of relief. Tyler Pittman started for Murray State, allowing seven runs (one earned) on eight hits, striking out three and walking one in 5-1/3 innings.
For Tech, Colt Ashman got the win in relief, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits, striking out five and walking one in three innings. Justin Fields started for TTU, allowing six runs (five earned) on four hits, striking out one and walking two in one-third of an inning. Brewer came on in the first, allowing two runs on three hits, striking out two and walking two in 5-2/3 innings.
Murray State steps out of its conference schedule to go to No. 6 Mississippi on Wednesday for a 6:30 p.m. game. The 'Breds return home for an OVC series this weekend, hosting Tennessee-Martin. The teams will play a Saturday double-header at 1 p.m. and a Sunday single game at 1 p.m., all at Reagan Field. The UTM games can be heard locally on WRKY (1130 AM, Murray).
