Murray State
Eastern Kentucky
'Breds sweep Eastern Kentucky 17-6, 3-2 in OVC double-header
4/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Trailing 4-2 in the seventh inning of their first game against Eastern Kentucky, the Murray State Thoroughbreds scored 15 unanswered runs over the next two innings to forge a 17-6 win. The 'Breds outlasted the Colonels 3-2 in the latter game to sweep the Ohio Valley Conference twinbill.
In the first game, Murray State (17-14, 6-2 OVC) trailed 4-2 in the middle of the seventh inning when Seth Hudson hit a one-out single, then took second on a throwing error. Clint Griggs walked, then Alex Stewart singled to load the bases.
Austin Swain hit a hard-hit ball to left field, which was overrun by the EKU fielder, going all the way to the fence. Swain circled the bases, bringing the rest of the 'Breds runners with him, to put MSU ahead 6-4.
Dustin Hennigar then singled, followed by a double by Lincoln Kent, scoring Hennigar. Phil Lopez then singled in Kent. Lopez stole second, then Tyler Pittman walked. Chaz Ebert singled, scoring Lopez and moving Pittman to third, then Griggs singled in Pittman and Ebert to push the MSU lead to 11-4.
Murray State sent 13 batters to the plate in that inning, and after the first out was made, the next nine reached base safely.
In the eighth inning, Swain led off with walk, then Hennigar popped his first home run of the season to put the 'Breds ahead 13-4. Kent then hit an infield single, then Lopez reached on a failed fielder's choice. Pittman singled to load the bases, then Ebert singled in Kent and Lopez, moving Pittman to third. Griggs hit a double to score Pittman, then James Akin hit a sacrifice fly to score Ebert to give Murray State a 17-4 lead.
In its last two innings at bat, Murray State sent 23 batters to the plate, scoring 15 runs on 13 hits, with 17 of 20 batters reaching safely.
Eastern Kentucky (9-14, 3-5 OVC) was able to score two runs in the ninth inning, but it wasn't enough in the 17-6 final.
Ebert went 3-for-6 with a double, two runs and four runs batted in, while Hennigar went 3-for-5 with a home run, three runs and two RBIs. MSU also got doubles from Griggs, Kent and Jamie Leidolf.
On the mound, Craig Kraus (5-1, 1-0 OVC) got his first conference win in three tries, allowing four runs (two earned) on eight hits, striking out four and walking one in seven innings. Jon Ross Shelton pitched the eighth inning, retiring all three batters he faced, including one strikeout. Michal Perconte pitched the ninth inning, allowing two runs on three hits.
On defense, Griggs had eight putouts, while Kraus had five assists.
For EKU, Brett Bolger had three hits, while Derrick Bussell and Tony Wells each had a double.
On the mound, Eric Anthrop (0-1) took the loss in relief, allowing five runs on five hits, walking one in 1-1/3 innings. McKenzie Willoughby started for the Colonels, and pitched well, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits, striking out five and walking three in five innings. Andy Polzin entered in the seventh inning, allowing four runs on four hits, walking one in two-thirds of an inning. Casey Howard pitched the eighth inning, allowing six runs (four earned) on five hits, walking one in one inning.
Will Whisenant had a game-high nine putouts, while Wells had a team-high four assists.
After the offense of the first game, the second game was a defensive battle. Eastern Kentucky scored two unearned runs in the top of the second inning, but Murray State answered back in the third.
Ebert drew a one-out walk after the previous four batters had been struck out by EKU starter Shane Zegarac. Ebert went to second on a wild pitch. Griggs beat out a two-out, infield single, moving Ebert to third, and Stewart doubled them both in to tie the score.
In the fifth inning, the 'Breds broke the tie, when Ebert led off with a double, then went to third on a sacrifice by Hudson. Griggs double Ebert in for the game-winning run.
Ebert went 2-for-2 with a double and two runs, while Griggs also had two hits with a double. Stewart had a double with two RBIs.
On the mound, Billy Fares (4-3, 2-0 OVC) got his fourth complete game of the season, allowing two unearned runs on six hits, striking out seven and walking none in seven innings.
Josh Foreman had seven putouts, while Hudson and Lopez had three assists each.
For EKU, Bussell went 2-for-3, while Waters had a double and two RBIs.
On the mound, Zegarac (1-3) took the complete-game loss, allowing three runs on six hits, striking out 10 and walking two in six innings.
Joe Oliver had 10 putouts, while Zegarac had a team-high two assists.
"We are really happy," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "The first game was one of those where we hung on and hung on, and eventually, good things happened. The second game was a tribute to Billy Fares. I thought we did a lousy job at the plate, and Billy threw a tremendous game for us.
"Usually, to do the kinds of things that happened in the first game where we scored all those runs, you have to have some help -- some walks, hits, an error or two. My thing is -- as we say -- if we keep pounding the rock and doing the right things, a lot of times, it works out for you."
The teams will face each other in the final game of the series tomorrow (Sunday) at 1 p.m. at MSU's Reagan Field.
