Murray State
UT Martin
'Breds sweep twinbill with Skyhawks in walk-off fashion, 5-4 and 4-3
5/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds completed the sweep of their series with Ohio Valley Conference rival Tennessee-Martin by winning both games today at Reagan Field. MSU won the today's first game -- the second game of the series -- 5-4 in 10 innings with a walk-off single by second baseman Derrick Newton and took today's latter game 4-3 with a walk-off single by first baseman Josh Foreman.
The series sweep, coupled with Jacksonville State's home sweep over Tennessee Tech this weekend, brings Murray State (14-28, 8-10 OVC) within a half-game of sixth-place Southeast Missouri (8-9 OVC).
The first game of the day was begun where it left off yesterday, with UTM leading 2-0 in the middle of the first inning.
The Skyhawks (14-28, 5-13 OVC) scored a run in the second inning, but Murray State (14-27, 8-10 OVC) responded with three in the third inning.
Newton drew a one-out walk, then stole second base. Third baseman Clint Griggs singled, scoring Newton, and took second on the throw. Center fielder Tyler Pittman singled in Griggs, then stole second. Pittman got to third on a failed pickoff attempt, then scored on a single by right fielder Scotty Scott to tie the game at 3-3.
UTM retook the lead in the fourth inning, but the 'Breds re-tied the game in the bottom of the seventh and last inning when Griggs led off with a single and reached second on a single by shortstop Alex Stewart. Scott was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Griggs scored on a groundout to even the game at 4-4.
In the bottom of the 10th inning, left fielder J.D. Merritt led off with a bunt single, then designated hitter James Akin singled up the middle, moving Merritt to third. Akin stole second base, and Newton popped a single to left center, scoring Merritt for the win.
Scott led all hitters, going 3-for-3 with a run batted in. Griggs and Newton each had two hits, with Griggs scoring twice. Catcher Bo Baxter doubled for MSU.
For Tennessee-Martin, Bryant Jones went 2-for-5 with a double, a run and two RBIs, while Nick Bruner and Kayo Anderson each had two hits. Douglas Nicodemus scored twice for the Skyhawks.
On the mound, West Harris (1-4) pitched an outstanding game in relief, allowing no runs on three hits, striking out nine (tying the team season-high) and walking one in six innings. Billy Fares started for the 'Breds, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits, striking out two and walking two in four innings.
For UTM, Dustin Summers (1-3) took the loss in relief, allowing two runs on six hits, striking out two in 3-1/3 innings. Scott Massey started for the Skyhawks, allowing three runs on six hits, striking out four and walking four in 5-2/3 innings. Adam Ledlow pitched to the last two batters, allowing one hit and striking out one in one-third of an inning.
In the second game of the day, Murray State scored two in the second inning, as Baxter crushed a one-out double to deep left field, then scored on a two-out double by Griggs. Pittman followed with another double, scoring Griggs and giving the 'Breds an early 2-0 lead.
Tennessee-Martin responded in the fifth, and went ahead in the sixth inning, scoring two unearned runs to take a 3-2 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh and last inning, Pittman drew a two-out walk, then moved to third on a single by Stewart. Scott was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Foreman hit a single to right-center field, plating Pittman and Stewart for the 4-3 win.
Pittman led the MSU offense with two hits, with a double, a run and an RBI. Foreman had two RBIs for the 'Breds, while Griggs and Baxter doubled.
For the Skyhawks, Brett Spivy and Nick Bruner had two hits apiece, while Nick Luper and Anderson each doubled for UTM.
On the mound, Pittman (1-1) took the complete-game win, allowing three runs (one earned) on 10 hits, striking out four and walking none in seven innings.
For UTM, Ben Meador (5-4) took the complete-game loss, allowing four runs on seven hits, striking out nine and walking three in 6-2/3 innings.
In the three-game series with Tennessee-Martin, 13 of Murray State's 18 runs scored with two outs.
"The big thing for us is that we had three come-from-behind wins, and that's really big," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "That shows the heart that these kids have. We don't always play well, but we do play hard and compete. They continue to fight and give themselves an opportunity to win.
"Early on, we would fight and give ourselves the opportunity, but we just couldn't get that hit we needed. Lately, the tide has turned a little bit, and we're winning the close games. We have won more than our share of one-run games (MSU is 6-3 in one-run games this year), and as a coach, I take pride in that."
The Thoroughbreds will take Finals Week off, returning to action next weekend at Austin Peay, opening the three-game series with a Saturday double-header at 2 p.m. and a Sunday single game at 2 p.m. All three of those games can be heard locally on WRKY (1130, Murray).
*SERIES NOTES: Murray State hitters pounded out nine doubles in the three-game series, led by catcher Bo Baxter's three...'Breds pitchers walked only seven batters in 26 innings, striking out 20...third baseman Clint Griggs led the MSU offense in the series with a .545 (6-for-11) average; right fielder Scotty Scott hit .400 (4-for-10), while Tyler Pittman (4-for-12) and Baxter (3-for-9) each hit .333...Griggs and Pittman each scored five runs to lead MSU, while Pittman and first baseman Josh Foreman each had a team-high four RBIs.
