Murray State
Eastern Kentucky
Pittman goes 4-for-4 in Game 2 as 'Breds split twinbill at EKU
4/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Freshman outfielder Tyler Pittman went 4-for-4 with a game-winning three-run home run in Game 2 of Murray State's double-header at Ohio Valley Conference rival Eastern Kentucky to help the Thoroughbreds win 6-3. EKU won the first game this afternoon 13-5.
Murray State (8-21, 2-6 OVC) tied Game 2 at 1-1 in the third inning when left fielder Austin Swain hit a one-out single and went to second on an errant throw. Swain moved to third on a groundout and scored on a double by Pittman to even the score at 1-1.
Eastern Kentucky retook the lead when Neil Sellers hit a solo home run in the bottom of the third, then added a run in the fourth inning to take a 3-1 lead.
In the fifth inning, catcher Chad Fogle led off with a single, then second baseman Derrick Newton popped a sinngle, moving Fogle to third. Newton took second on a wild pitch, then Griggs reached base when he hit a sharp ground ball to third base. Fogle got caught in a rundown, but Griggs was able to get to second base and Newton reached third on the play.
Pittman then stepped up with two outs and launched the first pitch over the right-field fence to give Murray State a 4-3 lead.
MSU pitcher Jon Ross Shelton held the Colonels (21-5, 5-3 OVC) to one hit in the fifth inning and one in the sixth.
In the seventh inning, MSU added two insurance runs when Pittman laced a two-out single, then stole second. Shortstop Alex Stewart struck out, but reached first when the catcher picked up the wild pitch and hit Stewart with his throw to first base.
Designated hitter Ike Bridwell singled in Pittman, then pinch-hitter Scotty Scott singled in Stewart for the 6-3 win.
Pittman went 4-for-4 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and four RBIs.
Eastern Kentucky was paced by two hits apiece from Adam Visnic and Jonathan Woodard. Woodard had two RBIs for the Colonels.
On the mound, Shelton (4-2) went the distance, allowing three runs on eight hits, striking out four and walking two in seven innings.
Chris Grider (5-1) took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits, striking out two and walking two in 6-2/3 innings. Eric Anthrop pitched the last out, allowing one unearned run on two hits and striking out one.
In the first game, Murray State plated two runs in the top of the first inning, but Eastern Kentucky responded with six in the bottom of the inning en route to the 13-5 win.
Pittman went 2-for-4 with a double, while second baseman Seth Hudson also had two hits with a double.
For EKU, Chris O'Dell went 4-for-5 with two home runs, two runs scored and four RBIs.
On the mound, starter Billy Fares (2-4) took the loss, allowing nine runs (seven earned) on 10 hits, striking out two in 3-2/3 innings. Charlie Wade came on in the fourth, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits, striking out two and walking one in 3-1/3 innings. Jamie Leidolf pitched in his first collegiate game to close it out, allowing no runs on one hit in one inning.
EKU's Scott Goetz (4-0) got the win, allowing five runs on seven hits, striking out four and walking two in 5-1/3 innings. McKenzie Willoughby got his first save of the season, allowing no runs on two hits, striking out one and walking two in 3-2/3 innings.
"In Game 1, (EKU) showed why they have the offensive stats that they have," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "They hit the ball well and they hit it between people. Game 2 gave an indication of how good a job Jon Ross Shelton did. Here is a real potent offensive team, and he really held them down well.
"We got some big hits, some two-out hits, and that's what it takes to win ball games. The three-run home run by Pittman was huge. I'm especially proud of the way we got two more runs in the seventh inning to really put ourselves in a much better position to win the game. That changed the complexion of the game from where you aren't facing the tying run in each at-bat."
Murray State closes out its three-game series at Eastern Kentucky tomorrow (Saturday) at noon CT. That game can be heard locally on WRKY (1130 AM, Murray).
