Murray State
Kentucky
'Breds, UK use 11 pitchers in MSU's 9-1 loss in Lexington
5/19/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds' baseball game at Kentucky resembled a scrimmage more than MSU's final regular-season road game and UK's final regular-season home game, as both teams used a combined 11 pitchers in the Wildcats' 9-1 win tonight.
Murray State (16-33) used five pitchers in the game, while host Kentucky (24-27) used six.
The 'Breds opened the game with two hits in the first inning, singles by center fielder Tyler Pittman and right fielder Scotty Scott, but both runners were left on base.
Kentucky opened the scoring in the second inning, plating two runs on two hits.
MSU countered in the fourth inning when shortstop Alex Stewart led off with a double, moved to third on a single by Scott, then scored on a throwing error on the play to cut the UK lead to 2-1.
The Wildcats scored two more runs in the fifth inning and five in the sixth to complete the game's scoring.
Scott went 2-for-4 to lead the 'Breds' bats, while Stewart doubled for MSU.
Kentucky was paced by Billy Grace -- who had two hits, including a two-run home run, a double, two runs scored and three runs batted in -- and Spencer Graeter, the brother of former Thoroughbred Drew Graeter, who had two hits and two runs. Casey Gilvin and Michael Bertram also doubled for UK.
On the mound, starter Jon Ross Shelton (4-5) took the loss for Murray State, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits, striking out one and walking two in three innings. Chandler Shepherd entered in the fourth inning, allowing two runs on one hit, striking out two in two innings. Billy Fares came on in the sixth, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits in one-third of an inning, while West Harris pitched the remainder of the sixth inning and all of the seventh, allowing no runs on no hits, striking out two in 1-2/3 innings. Bart Peach closed out the game, allowing one hit, striking out one and walking one in one inning.
For Kentucky, starter Kalen Gibson (5-3) got the win after pitching his allotted three innings, allowing no runs on two hits and striking out three. Adam Kunkel pitched the fourth inning, allowing one run on two hits. Shane Boyd pitched the fifth, allowing one hit and walking one, while Matt Scott pitched the sixth and seventh innings, allowing three hits and striking out one. James Rodriquez pitched the eighth inning, striking out two, while Aaron Tennyson pitched the ninth, striking out two and walking one.
Murray State closes out its regular-season schedule with a three-game home series against Ohio Valley Conference newcomer Samford. The Friday double-header begins at 1 p.m., while the Saturday single game -- which will feature Senior Day festivities -- also begins at 1 p.m. All three games can be heard locally on WRKY (1130 AM, Murray).
