Murray State
Bowling Green
'Breds split twinbill with BGSU
2/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds overcame adversity throughout the first game of their double-header against Bowling Green State to win the first game 8-0, but fell in the latter game 7-3.
In the first game, senior right-hander Craig Kraus (2-0) pitched seven innings, allowing no runs on four hits, striking out two and walking one in getting the win.
Bowling Green State (1-1) left the bases loaded in the fifth and eighth innings and left two on in the first, leaving 11 runners on the bases throughout the game.
Murray State opened the scoring in the third inning when left fielder Brett Mullins led off with a single and shortstop Michal Perconte walked. Second baseman Seth Hudson sacrificed the runners over one base, and right fielder Clint Griggs took an 0-1 pitch over the left-field wall for the 'Breds' first home run of the season. Third baseman Alex Stewart hit a two-out double down the left-field line and score on on a single by catcher Jason Payton to give MSU a 4-0 lead.
In the fifth inning, Hudson led off with an infield single, then moved to second on a groundout. A single by Stewart plated Hudson to give Murray State a 5-0 lead.
In the sixth inning, center fielder Tyler Pittman led off with a walk and moved to second on a single by Mullins. Hudons singled in Pittman, and the 'Breds took a 6-0 lead.In the seventh inning, designated hitter Chaz Ebert led off with a walk, then moved to third on a double by Payton. Pittman was intentionally walked to load the bases, but first baseman Josh Foreman drew a walk himself, scoring Ebert. Payton scored on a fielder's choice to close out the scoring at 8-0.
Stewart went 2-for-4 with a double, a run and a run batted in, while Payton went 2-for-4 with a double, a run and an RBI. Hudson went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI, while Mullins went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Griggs had three RBI's for MSU with a three-run home run.
West Harris came on to pitch in the eighth inning, allowing no runs on one hit, striking out two and walking two in one inning. Matt Scalfani pitched the ninth inning allowing no hits and striking out one.
For BGSU, Jeff Warnock went 2-for-4, while Tyler Wasserman had a double.
Keith Laughlin (0-1) got the loss, allowing four runs on four hits, striking out two and walking one in three innings. Kyle Knoblauch allowed two runs on four hits, striking out one and walking one in three innings, while Matt Hundley allowed two runs on one hit, walking three in one inning, and Nick Cantrell allowed no hits in one inning of play.
In the second game, it started out like a pitching gem, with only three batters reaching base in the first three innings, but the Falcons broke things up in the fourth inning.
Warnock led off with a bunt single, and Nolan Reimold followed with a single. Andy Hudak tripled in Warnock and Reimold, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Josh Stewart to give BGSU a 3-0 lead.
Murray State answered in the bottom half of the inning when Stewart got a one-out double, then went to third on a passed ball. A groundout scored Stewart, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
In the fifth inning, Bowling Green State again provided hits when Kevin Longstreth had a one-out single and Eric Lawson popped a single, moving Longstreth to third. Warnock walked to load the bases, and Longstreth and Lawson both scored on a fielding error. Hudak was intentionally walked to load the bases, but Josh Stewart also walked, scoring Warnock and giving the Falcons a 6-1 lead.
BGSU scored again in the sixth when Mike Barnard reached base on an error and moved to second on a single by Lawson., then taking third on a passed ball. Warnock sacrificed him home, and the Falcons took a 7-1 lead.
The 'Breds rallied in the sixth inning, when Stewart picked up a one-out single and scored on a home run by Payton to close out the scoring at 7-3.
Alex Stewart went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored, while Payton had two RBIs with a home run.
Billy Fares (1-1) took the loss, allowing six runs (five earned) on six hits, striking out two and walking two in 4-1/3 innings. Greg Gray came on in the fifth, allowing one run on one hit, striking out two and walking two in 1-2/3 innings, and Charlie Wade allowed no hits, striking out one in one inning.
For BGSU, Lawson went 2-for-4, while Hudak had a triple and two RBIs and Warnock scored twice. Josh Stewart also had two RBIs for the Falcons.
Burke Badenhop allowed one unearned run on two hits, striking out five in four innings. Alan Brech allowed two runs on three hits, striking out four and walking one in two innings, while Greg Becker allowed no runs and walking one in one inning.
"We had a pretty good battle today," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "Both teams are good teams. Bowling Green is well coached and has a lot of talent.
"We came out in the first game, and had a lot of things go our way. Craig Kraus pitched well, and we got some big hits. We did a lot of good things offensively.
"In the second game, their pitchers shut us down pretty good," McDonald said. "They got a couple of big hits and got Billy (Fares) in trouble. Our guys fought and battled to the end. I can't fault any effort."
The two teams will play the rubber game of the series tomorrow (Sunday) at noon.
