Murray State
Southeast Missouri State
'Breds win tightly contested series, split today's contests with SEMO
3/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Yesterday's incredible 7-6 13-inning win for the Thoroughbreds was only the beginning of the fun for Murray State and Southeast Missouri State, as the Redhawks were finally able to muscle out a 15-10 win in nine innings, while the 'Breds used a five-run fifth inning to tie the game in their 7-6 win.
In that latter game, Southeast Missouri State (8-13, 1-2 OVC) took a 6-1 lead in the middle of the fifth inning before the 'Breds' bats came alive. Right fielder Brett Mullins led off with a walk, followed by walks to designated hitter Chaz Ebert and second baseman Seth Hudson to load the bases. The runners advanced a base on a balk, scoring Mullins, then first baseman Clint Griggs reached on a two-base error, scoring Ebert and Hudson. Third baseman Alex Stewart laced a single through the right side, moving Griggs to third, then catcher Dustin Hennigar popped a sacrifice fly to score Griggs and narrow the gap to 6-5.
Stewart stole second base and left fielder Austin Swain walked before shortstop/pitcher Michal Perconte singled in Stewart to tie the score at 6-6.
In the bottom of the sixth, shortstop Phil Lopez hit a one-out single to left, then went to second on a wild pitch. Hudson got an infield single, moving Lopez to third, then Lopez scored the game-winning run on a passed ball.
Each team had only six hits, but combined for 13 walks and five errors in the game.
Stewart led the Murray State hitters with two hits, while Ebert scored twice. Griggs had a game-high nine putouts on defense, while Stewart had a game-high six assists.
On the mound, Perconte (1-0) took the win, allowing no runs on two hits, walking two in the last two innings. Billy Fares started for the 'Breds, allowing six runs (four earned) on four hits, striking out one and walking five in the first five innings.
For Southeast Missouri State, six batters had one hit apiece, while Chris Gibson had a triple. Levi Olson had a team-high five putouts, while Eric Horstman and Andrew Johnson each had two assists.
On the mound, Casey Johnson (1-1) took the loss, allowing one unearned run on three hits, striking out one and walking one in 1-1/3 innings. Andrew Johnson started for the Redhawks, allowing six runs (four earned) on three hits, striking out three and walking five in four-plus innings. Brent Lawson closed out the game for SEMO, allowing no runs on no hits, facing the minimum two batters in two-thirds of an inning.
"This is a testament to our guys and their character," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "They battled all weekend long. It was ugly at times -- I don't feel like we played really well -- but our kids are resilient, and they believe. They will find a way.
"My feeling is: every time you have come-from-behind wins and do things to come back and win, you increase the chance that you will do that again. When you do the right things -- you get the big hit or make the big play -- those things will help you win ball games."
The first game of the day was the conclusion of yesterday's second game, suspended by darkness with SEMO leading 6-3 after three innings.
The Redhawks scored quickly with a run in the top of the fourth inning, but the 'Breds answered in the bottom half of the inning when center fielder Tyler Pittman led off with a single, then right fielder Jamie Leidolf singled Pittman to second. Catcher Jason Payton doubled both runners in, then moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by shortstop Michal Perconte. An infield single by Swain scored Payton and cut the SEMO lead to 7-6.
Southeast Missouri State scored a run in the fifth inning, but MSU responded in kind when Griggs led off with an infield single, moved to second on a balk, then scored when Leidolf hit a single to center field and advanced on a fielding error, bringing Murray State to within 8-7.
In the sixth inning, SEMO scored two runs to go ahead 10-7, but Murray State came right back when Swain bunted a one-out single, then Ebert popped a single, moving Swain to second. Both runners moved up a base on a groundout, and Griggs walked to load the bases.
Stewart then drew a two-out walk to score Swain, then pinch-hitter Lincoln Kent walked to score Ebert. Mullins then walked in Griggs to knot the game at 10-10.
Neither team scored in the seventh, forcing extra innings for the second game in the series.
In the ninth inning, the Redhawks scored five runs and held that lead to win the game 15-10.
Swain had a co-game-high three hits, including a double to go with a run and a run batted in. Ebert and Pittman each had two hits and two runs, while Leidolf had two hits and Payton hit a double. Griggs had a game-high 10 putouts, while Perconte had a game-high four assists.
Charlie Wade (0-1) took the loss in relief, allowing five runs on four hits, striking out one and walking five in 3-1/3 innings. Jake Ociesa started the game for MSU, allowing six runs on six hits, striking out four and walking two in three innings, all played yesterday. Matt Scalfani entered in the fourth inning to start today's action, allowing four runs on seven hits, walking two in 2-2/3 innings.
For SEMO, Ernie Bracamonte and Chris Gibson each had three hits. Keith Wollis scored four runs, while Bracamonte and Frank Montiel each had three RBIs. Jordan Payne had nine putouts, while Bracamonte had three assists.
On the mound, Brent Lawson (1-0) got the win as well as driving in the game-winning run. Lawson allowed no runs on no hits, striking out two in the last two innings. Ryan Forsyth started the game, allowing six runs on seven hits, striking out one and walking one in 3-1/3 innings. Jamie McAlister came on in the fourth, allowing four runs on four hits, striking out one and walking two in 2-1/3 innings, while Josh Parham came on in the sixth and faced only one batter, walking him. Joey Evans entered in the sixth and allowed no runs on one hit, striking out one and walking one in 1-1/3 innings.
** SERIES NOTES **
Murray State had 12 two-out runs batted in to SEMO's seven, although the Redhawks were 10-for-11 (.909) with runners on third base and less than two outs...Austin Swain hit .500 (3-for-6) with a double and two walks to lead the 'Breds, while Alex Stewart had six hits in the series, a team-high, hitting .429...Jamie Leidolf had a team-high slugging percentage of 1.200 in the serise with a home run and two singles in five at-bats...Leidolf, Stewart, Clint Griggs and Jason Payton each had a team-high three RBIs, while Stewart and Chaz Ebert each scored a team-high five runs...Criag Kraus pitched eight strikeouts in Friday's game, while West Harris struck out four and walked none in four innings to get the win Friday; SEMO batters hit .133 against Harris...Jake Ociesa also struck out four over three innings in Friday's second game...Griggs had a team-high 30 putouts at first base, while Stewart had a team-high 12 assists in the three games.
