Murray State
Jacksonville State
'Breds drop final game of series at Jacksonville State 9-2; UK next
5/16/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds stayed close with host Jacksonville State this afternoon, but the Gamecocks used a five-run eighth inning to seal the win 9-2.
Despite the setback, Murray State (16-32, 10-14 OVC) can still gain a berth in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship Tournament with a three-game sweep of conference newcomer Samford this Friday and Saturday at MSU's Reagan Field.
In today's game, Jacksonville State (25-24, 15-9 OVC) scored first on a two-run home run by Jake Ball, who was a single short of hitting for the cycle today.
The 'Breds answered in the third inning when catcher Bo Baxter led off with a triple to left-center field. Baxter scored on a wild pitch to pull MSU to within 2-1.
JSU added two runs in the sixth inning on a double by Ball to push ahead 4-1.
MSU closed the gap again in the top of the eighth inning when designated hitter Tyler Pittman led off by getting hit by a pitch, then went to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on the catcher's throwing error. He scored on a single by right fielder Scotty Scott to narrow the gap to 4-2.
The Gamecocks took advantage of three MSU miscues in the bottom of the eighth to score five runs, ending the scoring at 9-2.
Murray State was led by Scott and shortstop Alex Stewart, who had two hits apiece, while Baxter had a triple for the 'Breds.
Jacksonville State was paced by Ball, who went 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, a home run, two runs scored and six runs batted in. Bobby Hicks added three hits with two RBIs, while Johny Prosser had two hits and three runs scored.
On the mound, Pittman (1-3, 1-2 OVC) took the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits, striking out six and walking none in six innings. Chandler Shepherd came on in the seventh inning, allowing five runs (two earned) on three hits, striking out four and walking two in 1-2/3 innings. West Harris closed out the game, facing two batters and striking out one.
For JSU, Tony Drinkard (2-0) got the win, allowing one run on six hits, striking out seven and walking two in 6-2/3 innings. Robby Goodson came on in the seventh, allowing one unearned run on one hit, striking out one in 1-1/3 innings, while Brian Booth closed out the game, allowing one hit and striking out two in one inning of work.
"If you had told me before we left that we would come down to Jacksonville State and win two out of three, I would have taken that," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "But, when you win the first two games of a three-game series, you want to get that third game, too."
Murray State has one final regular-season road game left, a trip to Kentucky on Wednesday. That game will begin at 5:30 p.m. CT (6:30 p.m. ET). The 'Breds then return for its regular-season-ending series with Samford. The teams will play a double-header on Friday, beginning at 1 p.m., then will close out the regular season with a Saturday 1 p.m. game.
