Murray State
Southern Illinois
'Breds get seven unanswered runs in 7-5 win over Southern Illinois
3/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds scored seven unanswered runs en route to their 7-5 come-from-behind win over visiting Southern Illinois this afternoon.
The 'Breds (5-3) used a solid pitching effort from their four hurlers as well as good hitting to claim its second win this week.
Southern Illinois (5-4) opened the scoring in the first inning when J.P. Finigan hit a one-out single. Matt Brewer doubled him in to give SIU an early 1-0 lead.
In the second inning, the Salukis scored again when Erik Alvarez led off with a ground-rule double, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, then scored on a sacrifice fly to expand the SIU lead to 2-0.
Southern Illinois plated one more run in the fourth inning when Grant Gerrard was hit by a pitch, stole second, went to third on a groundout and scored on a bunt single by Nathan Emrick to push the SIU lead to 3-0.
The 'Breds mounted a comeback in the bottom of the fourth when left fielder Brett Mullins led off with a walk, went to second on a single by first baseman Clint Griggs, then scored on a single by center fielder Tyler Pittman to cut the SIU lead to 3-1.
Murray State took the lead for good in the fifth inning when right fielder Lincoln Kent led off with a walk and scored when shortstop Michal Perconte hit a single to right that went past the right fielder. Perconte reached second base, and the score was 3-2.
Second baseman Seth Hudson hit a single to right, and Perconte tried to score from second, but was thrown out at the plate. Mullins singled Hudson to second, and Griggs slapped a triple to right field, scoring Hudson and Mullins to give MSU a 4-3 lead.
The 'Breds tacked on two more runs in the seventh inning when catcher Dustin Hennigar led off with a triple and scored on a groundout. Mullins drew a walk, then Griggs popped up to behind second base. The ball was misplayed by the fielders, and Mullins was able to scamper home from first to push the Murray State lead to 6-3.
MSU scored again in the eighth inning when third baseman Alex Stewart led off with a single, then moved to third on a double by designated hitter Jason Payton. Hennigar was intentionally walked to load the bases, and Stewart scored on a groundout to put the 'Breds ahead 7-3.
In the top of the ninth, SIU mounted a rally, as Brendan Lutz was hit by a pitch and Dean Cademortori singled him to second. The runners advanced a base on a groundout, and scored on a double by Finigan. MSU pitcher Greg Gray came on and got Brewer to pop out and Gerrard to ground out to seal the win.
Jake Ociesa (1-0) started and got the win for Murray State, allowing three runs on four hits, striking out one and walking one in five innings. Ed Baust came on in the sixth, allowing no runs on one hit, striking out two in 1-1/3 innings, but left with a sore arm in the seventh inning. Jon Ross Shelton relieved Baust and allowed two runs on two hits, striking out three and walking one in two innings, and Gray got his first save of the season, allowing no hits in two-thirds of an inning.
At the plate, Griggs went 2-for-4 with a triple and two runs batted in. Mullins scored three runs, while Perconte had two RBIs. Hennigar picked up a triple for MSU.
For Southern Illinois, Dylan Ward (0-1) took the loss, allowing four runs on six hits, striking out two and walking two in 4-2/3 innings. Adam Snyder came on in the fifth, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit, striking out one and walking one in 2-1/3 innings. Mark Obszanski came on in the seventh, allowing one run on two hits, striking out one and walking one in two-thirds of an inning. Tyler Norrick finished out the eighth inning, retiring the one batter he faced.
For the Salukis, Finigan went 2-for-4 with a double, a run and two RBIs. Brewer and Alvarez also doubled for SIU.
Murray State continues this eight-game homestand with a Saturday double-header against Wright State. The twinbill begins at Reagan Field at 11 a.m.
