Murray State
UT Martin
Six-run first inning holds in Game 1, but UTM gets by 'Breds in Game 2
5/1/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds scored six runs in the first inning of the first game of their double-header at Tennessee-Martin this afternoon, and it held for the 6-2 MSU win. In the latter game, MSU held the Skyhawks to three hits, but fell 4-2 in the Ohio Valley Conference meeting.
The twinbill split put Murray State (23-22, 11-7 OVC) in fourth place in the league standings, just one game behind second-place Austin Peay (28-15, 12-6 OVC) and Jacksonville State (21-20, 12-6 OVC) and 2.5 games behind first-place Morehead State (25-18, 13-4 OVC)
Eastern Kentucky (19-21, 10-7 OVC), which swept Southeast Missouri State (16-26, 7-11), is just a half-game behind Murray State, while the Redhawks are tied for sixth with Samford (14-30, 7-11 OVC) and Eastern Illinois (10-33, 7-11 OVC). Tennessee Tech (11-32, 5-12 OVC) and Tennessee-Martin (9-32, 4-13 OVC) round out the OVC standings.
In the first game, the Thoroughbreds scored six runs in the first inning when Chaz Ebert led off with a single, then Seth Hudson singled him to second. Clint Griggs reached on a fielding error to load the bases.
Alex Stewart hit a fly ball to right field, which was misplayed, allowing Ebert to score. Tyler Pittman singled in Hudson, then Austin Swain reached on a failed fielder's choice, scoring Griggs and Stewart. A sacrifice bunt by Dustin Hennigar moved Pittman to third and Swain to second, and a single by Lopez scored Pittman. A double by Brett Mullins scored Swain, giving MSU an early 6-0 lead.
Jon Ross Shelton -- getting his first start since Feb. 27 -- held the Skyhawks to only two runs over the first six innings to get the win, while Billy Fares faced the minimum three batters in the last inning.
Mullins had two hits with a double and a run batted in, while Ebert and Hudson each had two hits and a run.
On defense, Mullins had six putouts in right field, while Hudson and Stewart had two assists each.
On the mound, Shelton (1-5, 1-2 OVC) got the win, allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits, striking out five and walking two in six innings. Fares faced the minimum three batters in the seventh inning.
For Tennessee-Martin, Jason Moore went 3-for-3 with a run. On defense, Brian Berryman had eight putouts at first base, while Nick Bruner had three assists at second base.
On the mound, Justin Bryant (3-6) didn't get out of the first inning, allowing six runs (two earned) on five hits, facing nine batters in one-third of an inning. Casey Estill came on in the first and pitched well, allowing no runs on four hits, striking out two and walking three in 6-1/3 innings. Micky Dobson closed out the game, getting out the only batter he faced in the seventh inning.
"I thought we pitched well there," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "We scored six runs in the first, but we didn't score again. We had runners on second or third, but we didn't have any good at-bats. We need more of our guys to step forward and say, 'I'm going to get the job done.'"
In the second game, Murray State pitching held its opponent to three hits for the second time in four games, but Tennessee-Martin used those hits, seven walks and two 'Breds errors to forge the 4-2 win.
Trailing 3-0 in the fourth inning, Griggs hit a one-out single, then went to third on a single by Stewart. Pittman's sacrifice fly allowed Griggs to score, cutting the Skyhawk lead to 3-1.
In the fifth inning, MSU pulled to within a run when Hennigar led off with a walk, then stole second and went to third on a throwing error. A double by Michal Perconte scored Hennigar, cutting the deficit to 3-2. UTM scored a run in the bottom of the fifth to complete the scoring.
Griggs went 2-for-3, while Perconte doubled for Murray State.
On defense, Griggs had six putouts at first base, while Stewart had three assists at third base.
On the mound, West Harris (4-4, 3-2 OVC) took the loss, allowing three runs on two hits, striking out two and walking four in three-plus innings. Charlie Wade finished the game, allowing one unearned run on one hit, striking out three and walking three in three innings.
For Tennessee-Martin, Blake Turner went 2-for-3 with a run batted in, while Moore hit a double for the Skyhawks.
On defense, Berryman had nine putouts at first base, while Moore had seven assists at shortstop.
On the mound, Scott Massey (2-5) got the win, allowing two runs on four hits, striking out three and walking six in six-plus innings. Micky Dobson closed out the game, retiring the two batters he faced to earn his second save of the season.
"We really did not do a good job in this game, and Martin did," McDonald said. "I expected more out of our guys than we showed in this game. Every game is critical for us, and we're going to be fighting to win every last game."
Murray State visits No. 22 Mississippi Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. This weekend, the 'Breds return home to begin a six-game OVC homestand against Austin Peay.
