Murray State
UT Martin
'Breds overtake UTM 9-5 in Game 1; rain overtakes Game 2, suspended today
5/1/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds scored the first run in their game against Ohio Valley Conference rival Tennessee-Martin this afternoon, but used eight unanswered runs to overcome a 5-1 deficit to beat the Skyhawks 9-5.
Soon after the second game of the scheduled double-header started, the rains came, causing the game to be suspended in the middle of the first inning with Tennessee-Martin ahead 2-0. The seven-inning game will be resumed at that point tomorrow (Sunday) at noon at Reagan Field, then a seven-inning Game 3 will be played after that.
Murray State (12-27, 6-10 OVC) opened the scoring in the first inning of the first game when center fielder Tyler Pittman reached base on a fielder's choice, stole second and scored on a double by right fielder Scotty Scott to give the 'Breds an early 1-0 lead.
Tennessee-Martin (14-26, 5-11 OVC) scored four runs (two earned) in the fourth inning, taking advantage of an MSU miscue to take a 4-1 lead. The Skyhawks tacked on another run when a solo home run by Adam Salter chased 'Breds starter Jon Ross Shelton, giving UTM a 5-1 lead.
In the bottom half of the fifth, Murray State answered when second baseman Seth Hudson drew a two-out walk, then third baseman Clint Griggs doubled him in. Pittman walked, then shortstop Alex Stewart doubled in Griggs and Pittman to close the gap to 5-4. Scott walked, then first baseman Josh Foreman slapped a single to right, scoring Stewart and tying the game at 5-5.
'Breds' bats continued their cadence in the sixth inning when Griggs hit a two-out single and Pittman smashed his sixth home run of the season to give MSU a 7-5 lead.
In the seventh inning, Murray State continued its momentum when Foreman drew a one-out walk and left fielder J.D. Merritt smacked a double, scoring Foreman. Catcher Bo Baxter then hit a two-out double, scoring Merritt and ending the tally at 9-5.
Junior right-hander Craig Kraus held the Skyhawk offense at bay, retiring 14 of the 17 batters he faced, allowing only three hits and one walk over 4-2/3 innings.
"When we were down 5-1, things didn't look good for us," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "Kraus came in and shut them down that inning, and their pitcher (Micky Dobson) had been cruising, but it's amazing how quickly that can change. He started having a little trouble with his control, and our batters started to pick things up a bit."
Griggs led all hitters with three hits, with a double, two runs and a run batted in. Pittman had a home run, three runs scored and two RBIs, while Stewart had two RBIs for Murray State.
Tennessee-Martin was paced by Bryant Jones and Nick Luper, who had two hits apiece. Adam Salter hit his second home run of the season and had two runs scored, while Nick Bruner had a double for the Skyhawks.
On the mound, Kraus (3-5) got the win in relief, allowing no runs on three hits, striking out three and walking one in 4-2/3 innings. Shelton started for the 'Breds, allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits, striking out two and walking three in 4-1/3 innings.
For UTM, Casey Estill (1-3) took the loss in relief, allowing four runs on three hits, walking one in 1-2/3 innings. Dobson started for the Skyhawks, allowing five runs on five hits, striking out three and walking four in 4-2/3 innings. Dustin Summers finished the game, allowing one hit, striking out three and walking one in 1-2/3 innings.
