Murray State
Southern Illinois
'Breds fall at Southern Illinois 6-2, prepare for OVC series with EKU
4/6/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds faced a challenging Southern Illinois squad bent for revenge for an earlier-season 7-5 loss to MSU, and came away with a 6-2 loss to the Salukis.
The 'Breds (15-14) gave up three runs in the first two innings, but rallied in the fifth inning. Right fielder Jamie Leidolf led off with a single, then shortstop Phil Lopez was hit by a pitch. Center fielder Brett Mullins sacrificed the runners ahead one base, then designated hitter Chaz Ebert singled in Leidolf and moved Lopez to third. Lopez was put out at home on a fielder's choice, moving Ebert to second, and a walk to first baseman Clint Griggs loaded the bases. Ebert scored on a fielding error to bring Murray State to within 3-2.
Southern Illinois (18-11) got a run back in the bottom of the fifth, then added runs in the seventh and eighth innings for the final score.
Second baseman Seth Hudson led the 'Breds batters with two hits. Griggs had a game-high 11 putouts, while Hudson had a team-high five assists. Griggs made his first error of the season after being error-free in his first 194 chances in the field, a team-high.
On the mound, Jake Ociesa (2-3) took the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits, striking out four and walking two in five innings. Charlie Wade entered in the sixth inning, allowing one run on one hit and walking one in two innings. Jon Ross SHelton pitched the eighth inning, allowing one unearned run on two hits, striking out one in one inning.
For the Salukis, P.J. Finigan went 3-for-4 with a triple, while Dean Cademartori scored twice. Matt Brewer and Tyler Lairson each doubled for SIU.
On the mound, Ryan Terry (1-0) got the win, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits, striking out two and walking two in five innings. Dylan Ward entered in the sixth, allowing no runs on two hits, striking out one and walking one in one-plus innings. Ryan Welch came on in the seventh, allowing no runs on no hits, striking out two and walking one in two innings, while Mark Obszanski pitched the ninth inning, striking out two of the three batters he faced.
Murray State (4-2 OVC) opens a five-game homestand with a three-game series against Ohio Valley Conference rival Eastern Kentucky (9-12, 3-2 OVC). That series begins with a double-header on Saturday at noon at MSU's Reagan Field.
