Murray State
Akron
'Breds rally falls short to Akron
3/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Trailing 9-1 in the middle of the third inning, the Murray State Thoroughbreds mounted a valiant comeback, outscoring visiting Akron 6-0 over the next six innings with the game-winning run at the plate in the ninth inning, but it wasn't enough, as MSU fell 9-7.
In the first three innings, Murray State (10-6) ceded nine runs (only three earned) on seven Akron hits and four MSU errors. Junior left-hander West Harris came on in the third inning and allowed one inherited run to score, but held the Zips (7-6) scoreless for the rest of the game, allowing only five hits over 6-1/3 innings,
"West Harris came in and really gave us a chance to win," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "He threw zeroes across the board over the last six-plus innings and stepped up big for us. One more hit, and he probably would have been looking at picking up the win."
The 'Breds' bats also came alive over the last seven innings. After allowing four runs in the first inning, Murray State scored in the second when center fielder Tyler Pittman led off with a single and went to second on a throwing error. He went to third on a groundout and scored on another groundout to cut the Akron lead to 4-1.
The Zips plated five more runs in the third, but MSU scored again in the bottom half of the inning when second baseman Seth Hudson slapped a one-out single to right field, then moved to second on a single by left fielder Clint Griggs. A single by first baseman Jason Payton loaded the bases, and Hudson scored on a groundout, trimming Akron's lead to 9-2.
Murray State scored again in the sixth when third baseman Alex Stewart hit a one-out single, then went to third on a single by Pittman. A fielder's choice scored Stewart to make the score 9-3.
The 'Breds made it a game in the seventh when designated hitter Chaz Ebert reached on a fielder's choice, then went to second on a fielding error. Griggs drew a walk to load the bases, then Stewart walked, scoring Ebert. A Pittman single scored Hudson and Griggs, and Stewart scored on a single by catcher Dustin Hennigar to cut the Akron lead to 9-7.
In the ninth inning, Pittman knocked a two-out single to right, then Hennigar reached on a fielder's error, moving Pittman to second. Shortstop Michal Perconte hit a liner toward the right-field line that looked like it might fall in, but UA right fielder Charlie Lenhard was able to make the catch to end the game.
"When the guys came in during the middle of the third inning, I told them that this being a good day or a bad day depended on what they did from here on out," said McDonald. "We outscored them 6-0 from then on, and it wasn't quite enough, but I feel better coming off the field after we stunk it up in the first 2-1/2 innings. That last ball (by Perconte) was an inch or two from going to the fence and tying the game.
"I can't fault our effort. Our execution was not good at the plate and on the field early on."
Murray State was led by Pittman, who went 4-for-5 with a run scored and two runs batted in. Hudson went 2-for-5 with two runs. Stewart scored twice and knocked in two runs, while Hennigar had two RBIs.
On the mound, starter Matt Scalfani (1-1) took the loss, allowing nine runs (three earned) on six hits, striking out one and walking three in 2-2/3 innings. Harris came on in the third, allowing no runs on five hits, striking out six and walking four in 6-1/3 innings.
For Akron, Lenhard had two hits, including a triple, while Andy Capraruolo and Billy McKinney each doubled for the Zips. McKinney, Brian Kimutis, Doug McNulty and Jim Bonnette each had two hits for Akron. Marcus Geiselman scored twice, while McKinney had two RBIs.
On the mound, starter Tony Samad (2-1) got the win, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits, striking out two and walking none in six innings. Tom Farmer came on in the seventh, allowing four unearned runs on no hits, walking three in two-thirds of an inning. Steve Williams came on in the seventh, allowing two hits, striking out one and walking one in 1-1/3 innings. Derek Stanfield pitched the ninth inning, allowing one hit in getting his sixth save of the season.
Murray State now begins a five-game road trip, beginning at Vanderbilt (No. 8 in the Baseball America poll, No. 10 in the NCBWA poll, No. 12 in the Sports Weekly/ESPN poll) on Wednesday at 4 p.m. The 'Breds then visit South Alabama for a three-game series March 19-21, then go to Memphis on March 23.
