Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
South Alabama
Jaguar offense too much for 'Breds
3/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds' defense improved over last night's disappointing performance, but could not contain host South Alabama's bats, as the Jaguars had 13 hits for 20 total bases in Murray State's 9-3 loss in Mobile, Ala., this afternoon.
The 'Breds (10-9) again fell behind early to the Jaguars (13-8), allowing three first-inning runs. Starting pitcher Billy Fares (2-3) had unusual trouble in finding the strike zone, but settled in after the first, throwing up seroes in the second, third and fourth innings.
In the first inning, Fares walked the first two batters, then gave up a single to load the bases, but Quendon Montgomery grounded into a double play, and it looked as though MSU would get out of the inning with only one USA run. Josh Morgan then stepped up and hit a two-run home run to put South Alabama ahead 3-0.
Fares then settled in, allowing only one hit in the second and retiring the side in the third and fourth innings.
In the fifth inning, USA plated two more runs and scored another in the sixth. In the seventh, Jags hitters picked reliever Jon Ross Shelton for three runs before he was hit below the knee by a sharply hit ball, forcing him to leave the game.
Murray State scored a run in the fifth inning when center fielder Tyler Pittman led off with a single, went to second on a single by left fielder Austin Swain, went to third on a balk and scored on a fielder's choice.
In the ninth inning, the 'Breds plated two more runs when third baseman James Akin led off by reaching on a fielding error, then went to second on a balk. Swain drew a one-out walk, then shortstop Michal Perconte singled in Akin. Catcher Brett Wilson singled to load the bases, then Swain scored on a fielder's choice for the final run of the game.
Swain had another great day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a run scored. Swain is 5-for-6 in the South Alabama series.
Fares took the loss, allowing six runs on nine hits, striking out one and walking three in 5-2/3 innings. Shelton allowed three runs on two hits, striking out one in one inning, while Jamie Leidolf allowed no runs on one hit, striking out one and walking one in one-third of an inning in closing out the seventh. Charlie Wade faced three batters in the eighth inning, allowing one hit and walking two, while Perconte closed out the game on the mound, allowing no runs on no hits in an inning of work.
South Alabama was led by David Freese, who went 3-for-4 with a triple, two runs and a run batted in. Morgan had two runs and three RBIs, while Ben Froemming scored twice.
P.J. Walters (4-2) got the win, allowing one run on five hits striking out five and walking two in eight innings. Joey Doan finished the game, allowing two unearned runs on two hits, striking out one and walking one in one inning.
Murray State concludes its three-day, three-game series at South Alabama tomorrow (Sunday) at 1 p.m.
