Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Wright State
Eight-run inning dooms 'Breds
3/6/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds led 7-4 after five innings, but Wright State rallied with eight runs in the sixth inning, three in the seventh and three in the eighth, handing the 'Breds an 18-8 loss this afternoon.
Murray State (7-4) got on the scoreboard first, as left fielder Clint Griggs led off the first inning with a single, then went to second on a fielding error. Right fielder Lincoln Kent reached base on an error, moving Griggs to third. Kent went to second and Griggs scored on a passed ball, then Kent scored on a single by designated hitter Jason Payton, giving MSU a 2-0 lead.
In the second inning, the 'Breds struck gain, as first baseman Josh Foreman reached base on a passed ball and center fielder Brett Mullins was hit by a pitch. Shortstop Phil Lopez tried a sacrifice bunt, but the ball was thrown away, allowing Foreman to score and move Mullins to third. Mullins scored on a fielder's choice, giving Murray State a 4-0 lead.
Wright State (3-6) scored three runs in the third inning and one in the fourth to tie the game, but MSU answered with three in the fourth inning when Griggs hit a two-out double and second baseman Chaz Ebert reached on an error, moving Griggs to third. Kent singled in Griggs and Payton singled in Ebert. Third baseman Alex Stewart singled in Kent to give Murray State a 7-4 lead.
The Raiders rallied in the sixth inning for eight runs to take a 12-7 lead, then tacked on three runs in both the seventh and eighth innings.
The 'Breds plated another run in the eighth when Griggs led off with a walk and Ebert reached on an error, moving Griggs to third. Griggs scored during a double play to close out the scoring at 18-8.
Griggs went 2-for-4 with a double and three runs scored, while Payton went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Stewart went 2-for-4 with a run batted in, while catcher Dustin Hennigar went 2-for-5 with a double. Kent had two runs and two RBIs for MSU.
On the mound, West Harris (0-1) took the loss, allowing eight runs (four earned) on six hits in 1-1/3 innings.
For Wright State, Brendan Rubenstein went 5-for-5, while Paul Majestic went 4-for-6 with four runs and three RBIs.
Murray State visits Arkansas-Little Rock on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
