Murray State
Samford
Kraus shuts out Samford 3-0 in Game 1, but Bulldogs get OVC berth in Game 2
5/21/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Junior right-hander Craig Kraus threw a five-hit shutout in Game 1 of today's double-header against visiting Samford, 3-0, but the Bulldogs clinched its first spot in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship Tournament in Game 2, winning that game 6-2.
With the first-game win, Murray State (17-34, 11-15 OVC) halted a 13-game conference win streak by Samford, begun after the Bulldogs lost their first 11 OVC games.
With the loss, Murray State, the defending tournament champion, was eliminated from OVC Championship contention. Coming into the weekend series, MSU had to win all three games to earn a spot in the OVC Championship, while Samford needed to win one to clinch a berth.
In the first game, Kraus (5-6, 5-3 OVC) allowed a two-ball count only three times through the first seven innings (six times in the game), reaching a three-ball count only once, in the eighth inning. The Louisville junior threw 91 pitches in nine innings, with 68 strikes and only 23 balls.
Murray State opened the scoring in the first inning when center fielder Tyler Pittman slapped a one-out double, then scored on a single by shortstop Alex Stewart to put the 'Breds ahead 1-0.
In the second inning, designated hitter James Akin hit a one-out single, then moved to second on a single by left fielder Austin Swain. Catcher Bo Baxter singled to right field to score Akin and put MSU ahead 2-0.
In the fifth inning, second baseman Derrick Newton led off with an infield single, them moved to second on a failed fielder's choice. Stewart singled Newton to third, then Newton scored on a sacrifice fly by right fielder Scotty Scott to close the scoring at 3-0.
Stewart, Swain, Baxter and Newton each had two hits to lead Murray State. Pittman and third baseman Clint Griggs each had a double for MSU.
For Samford (22-31, 14-12 OVC), Michael Collins had two hits with a double and Matt Alling had two hits to pace the Bulldogs.
On the mound, Kraus went the distance, allowing no runs on five hits, striking out five and walking none in nine innings.
For SU, Karl Huch (4-6) went the distance, allowing three runs on 11 hits, striking out eight and walking none in eight innings.
In the second game, a two-run sacrifice fly by Eric Hollis exhorted the 'Dogs to the 6-2 win.
With runners on second and third in the third inning, Hollis pounded a fly ball to deep left-center field. Pittman made the catch at the fence, and Joe Denson scored easily from third base, but Alling hustled from second base to score on the play, giving Samford a 3-0 lead.
Murray State scored in the bottom half of the inning, when Newton hit a one-out single, then Pittman hit a two-out double to score Newton and cut the Samford lead to 3-1.
Samford scored an unearned run in the sixth inning to go ahead 4-1, then plated two in the seventh inning to push out to a 6-1 lead.
The 'Breds tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh, when Swain hit a one-out triple, then scored on a groundout to cut the lead to 6-2, but MSU could not muster any more runs, falling in Game 2.
Newton had two hits, while Swain had a triple and Pittman and Stewart each doubled.
For Samford, Garrett Rice had two hits, including a home run and a double to go with two runs and two runs batted in. Alling also had two hits for the Bulldogs.
On the mound, Billy Fares (4-6, 2-5 OVC) took the loss, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits, striking out four and walking none in 6-1/3 innings. West Harris came on in the seventh, allowing no hits in two-thirds of an inning.
For Samford, Joseph Edens (7-5) got the win, allowing two runs on six hits, striking out six and walking one in 6-2/3 innings. Stephen Artz came on in the seventh and got his only batter out.
"That is twice in a row that Craig Kraus came out and threw an outstanding game with our backs really to the wall," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "Billy Fares threw great, but Samford got to him with runners on base. Our problem in the second game was in our not swinging the bats, not in our pitching.
"I can't fault anybody's effort today. In the last inning, we are still in there fighting and battling. Sometimes the hits fall in, and sometimes they don't. The big difference between Game 1 and Game 2 was that in Game 1, the hits would go between the fielders or find the line. In Game 2, they went right at people."
Murray State closes out its season tomorrow (Saturday) at 1 p.m. against Samford. Prior to the game, the 'Breds will honor its seniors, Bart Peach and Scotty Scott. That game can be heard locally on WRKY (1130 AM, Murray).
