Murray State
Arkansas-Little Rock
'Breds pitchers allow five hits in 6-0 shutout at Arkansas-Little Rock
3/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds' pitchers came through again, allowing only five hits, striking out eight and walking five in MSU's 6-0 blanking of Arkansas-Little Rock this afternoon.
Junior lefty Jake Ociesa (2-0) won his second game in as many starts, allowing four hits, striking out eight and walking four in six innings of work. Junior left-hander West Harris entered the game in the seventh inning and held it down, giving up just one hit and walking one in three inning to earn his second save of the season.
Still riding the momentum from yesterday's 16-1 win, the 'Breds (9-4) got on the scoreboard in the first inning when designated hitter Chaz Ebert, center fielder Tyler Pittman and third baseman Alex Stewart all walked and Ebert scored on a wild pitch to put MSU ahead early 1-0.
In the second inning, second baseman Seth Hudson reached on a fielder's choice and Ebert popped a two-out double to score Hudson and put the 'Breds ahead 2-0.
The game remained there until the eighth inning, when first baseman Jason Payton led off with a walk and moved to second on a groundout. Right fielder Lincoln Kent slapped a single down the right-field line to score Payton and push the Murray State lead to 3-0.
In the ninth inning, the 'Breds weren't quite done, as Hudson led off with a single and went to second on a fielding error. Ebert followed with a single, moving Hudson to third, and Pittman doubled in Hudson and Ebert, taking third on an error. Left fielder Clint Griggs singled in Pittman, ending the scoring at 6-0.
Ebert went 3-for-3 to lead all hitters, picking up a double, scoring two runs and getting one run batted in. Hudson also scored two runs, while Pittman had a double and two RBIs.
For Arkansas-Little Rock (8-11), Jacob Stover went 2-for-3, while Jimmy Scott had a double.
On the mound, Grant Gatlin (0-1) took the loss, allowing two runs on three hits, striking out six and walking four in six innings. Drew Antonini came on in the seventh, allowing four runs on four hits, striking out two and walking one in two-plus innings. Scott Yant finished the ninth inning for Antonini, allowing one hit in one inning.
Murray State is off to its best 13-game start since 2001 (10-3) and its third-best 13-game start since 1983. MSU has won six of its last seven games.
Murray State returns home to face Akron in a double-header on Saturday at noon at Reagan Field.
