Murray State
Morehead State
'Breds battle top-ranked Morehead in seesaw battle to 9-7 loss
4/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds battled host Morehead State this afternoon in the rubber game of the series, with the scoring going back and forth until the top-ranked Eagles finished with a 9-7 win.
The 'Breds (20-17, 8-4 OVC) were able to maintain their hold on second place, although are now just one game ahead of third place.
Against Morehead State, the 'Breds scored with their first at-bat of the game, as Chaz Ebert slammed a solo home run. Clint Griggs hit a one-out single, then Austin Swain slapped a two-out single down the left-field line, moving Griggs to third. While Swain was involved in a rundown, Griggs had the prescience to score, giving Murray State an early 2-0 lead.
In the bottom half of the inning, Morehead State (20-15, 10-1 OVC) responded, as Travis Rima hit a one-out single, then Donald Cheney drew a two-out walk. Bryan Ingram double both runners in to tie the score, then Ingram scored on a single by Zac Carr to put the Eagles ahead 3-2.
In the third inning, Murray State retook the lead when Brett Mullins led off with a single, then Ebert walked. Both runners advanced on a passed ball, then Seth Hudson doubled them in to put the 'Breds ahead 4-3.
In the bottom of the third, Morehead's Carr reached on a two-out error, then went to third on a double by Kevin Bryant. Paul Rhodes walked to load the bases, then Bo Stohler was hit by a pitch, scoring Carr. Troyer walked in Bryant to give Morehead State a 5-4 lead.
In the fifth inning, the 'Breds re-retook the lead when Hudson led off with a walk, then Griggs reached on a fielding error. Alex Stewart singled to load the bases, then Swain singled in Hudson to tie the game at 5-5. Dustin Hennigar reached on a fielder's choice, getting Griggs out at home, but Lincoln Kent singled in Stewart and Swain to give Murray State a 7-5 lead.
In the bottom half of the inning, Morehead State got a run back when Bryant hit a one-out single , then went to second on a groundout. Stohler singled him in to cut the 'Breds' lead to 7-6.
In the bottom of the seventh, Morehead State retied the game when Ingram led off with a double,then scored on a double by Bryant to knot the game at 7-7.
In the eighth inning, Morehead State took the lead when Rima led off with a walk, then went to second on a wild pitch. Cheney walked, then Carr hit a two-out double, scoring Rima and Cheney to close the scoring at 9-7.
In the top of the ninth, Swain drew a one-out walk, then Jamie Leidolf, who hit a dramatic ninth-inning, two-run home run against Southeast Missouri earlier this season, hit a sharp line drive that was caught at third. Tyler Pittman then pinch-hit for Kent and hit a long fly that was caught in right field to end the game.
"We didn't play badly; Morehead State outplayed us today," said Murray State head coach Rob McDonald. "I can't fault anyone with this loss. We just need to regroup and refocus on the upcoming games ahead of us."
Stewart and Swain each had two hits. Ebert had a home run and two runs scored, while Hudson doubled and had two runs batted in, and Kent had two RBIs.
On defense, Griggs had 10 putouts at first base, while Lopez had five assists at shortstop.
On the mound, Jon Ross Shelton (0-5, 0-2 OVC) took the loss, allowing four runs on five hits, striking out three and walking two in five innings. West Harris started the game, allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits, striking out two and walking four in three innings.
For Morehead State, Bryant had three hits, including two doubles. Ingram also had two doubles, while Carr and Paul Rhodes each had one. Four Eagles scored two runs apiece, while Caa had three RBIs.
On defense, Cheney and Ingram had 10 putouts apiece, while Lance Seasor had five assists at second base.
On the mound, Dan Klausmeier (3-0) took the win, allowing no runs on no hits, walking two in two innings. Lance Johnston started the game, allowing seven runs (five earned) on seven hits, striking out four and walking four in four innings, Reid Kittleson entered in the fifth inning, allowing no runs on two hits, striking out four and walking two in three innings.
Murray State visits Evansville on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
