Murray State
Illinois State
'Breds fall in defensive battle at Illinois State, 4-3 in 10 innings
5/11/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Freshman Jamie Leidolf hit a two-out, two-RBI double in the eighth inning to put the Murray State Thoroughbreds ahead 3-2, but MSU saw host Illinois State tie the game with a run in the ninth inning and win the game 4-3 in the 10th.
Both teams were held to six hits apiece, as Murray State (14-31) had a hit in the fifth inning, two in the sixth and three in the eighth. Stranded runners came back to haunt MSU again, as the 'Breds left 10 runners on base.
Illinois State (17-29) scored a run in the first inning, taking advantage of a single, a walk and four stolen bases to take a 1-0 lead.
Murray State answered in the third inning when catcher Bo Baxter led off by being hit by a pitch. Second baseman Seth Hudson was also hit by a pitch and third baseman Clint Griggs walked to load the bases. Shortstop Alex Stewart hit a short fly ball to center field, but Baxter was able to score and tie the game at 1-1.
The Redbirds plated a run in the sixth inning, and the 'Breds took their first lead in the eighth.
Stewart led off the inning with a single, then right fielder Scotty Scott singled. First baseman Josh Foreman sacrificed the runners over, and with two outs, Leidolf stepped up to pinch-hit for designated hitter James Akin.
Leidolf blasted a double to right-center field, scoring Stewart and Scott and giving MSU a 3-2 lead.
ISU tied the game in the ninth inning to send the game into extra innings.
In the top of the 10th, Foreman reached on a fielder's error with two outs. Left fielder Austin Swain walked and Leidolf came up, but struck out to end the rally.
Illinois State's Matt Bolt was hit by a pitch with two outs, stole second and scored when Jay Molina hit a soft fly ball that fell inches inside the right-field line for a double.
Scott led the Murray State offense with two hits, while Leidolf had a double and two runs batted in.
Molina had two hits for the Redbirds with a double and three RBIs. Bolt scored twice and had a double.
Sophomore left-handed West Harris (1-5) took the loss, allowing two runs on three hits, striking out three and walking three in 2-2/3 innings. Starter Jon Ross Shelton allowed two runs on three hits, striking out four and walking three in seven innings.
ISU's Dan Frega (2-0) got the win, allowing no hits, striking out one and walking one in the last inning. Starter Eric Thiesen pitched the first nine innings, allowing three runs on six hits, striking out nine and walking four.
Murray State closes out this brief two-game series tomorrow (Wednesday) at 4 p.m.
