Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
South Alabama
'Breds swept at South Alabama, will visit Memphis on Wednesday
3/20/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The South Alabama Jaguars showed little Southern hospitality, sweeping the Murray State Thoroughbreds in their three-game series, taking the final game this afternoon 15-2.
The loss was the sixth straight for the 'Breds (10-10).
The game began as a pitchers' duel, as MSU's West Harris (0-2) and USA's Tommie Major (2-0) battled to a 0-0 tie through three innings.
In the fourth, South Alabama (14-8) scored four runs, then plated seven more in the fifth and four in the seventh.
Murray State scored a run in the fifth when right fielder Lincoln Kent sent the first pitch of the inning over the left-field wall. The 'Breds scored again in the sixth when designated hitter Chaz Ebert led off with a single, went to second on a single by first baseman Clint Griggs, and scored on a single by third baseman Alex Stewart.
Ebert and second baseman Seth Hudson each led the 'Breds with a 2-for-4 performance. Kent had a home run, his first as a Thoroughbred.
Harris took the loss, allowing eight runs on eight hits, striking out three and walking one in 4-1/3 innings. Matt Scalfani came on in the fifth, allowing seven runs on eight hits, striking out one and walking two in 1-2/3 innings. Jake Ociesa entered in the seventh, allowing no runs on no hits, striking out two in facing the minimum three batters in that inning, while Tyler Pittman pitched the eighth inning, striking out one in facing the minimum three.
For South Alabama, Ben Froemming, Quendon Montgomery and Aaron George each had three hits to lead the Jaguars. Six Jags scored two runs apiece, while Josh Stapleton had four runs batted in with a grand slam home run in the seventh inning.
Major got the win, allowing two runs on seven hits, striking out three and walking none in 5-1/3 innings. Matt Petersen came on in the sixth, allowing no runs on no hits, striking out two in facing the minimum five batters in 1-2/3 innings. Justin Rayborn entered in the eighth, allowing one hit and striking out two in one inning of work, while David Compitello finished the game, allowing one hit and walking one in that inning.
Murray State visits Memphis on Wednesday for a 6:30 p.m. game, then opens its Ohio Valley Conference schedule at home on Friday with a noon double-header against Southeast Missouri State.
