Murray State
Jacksonville State
'Breds win Game 1 on a wild pitch, JSU comeback rules in Game 2
5/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds moved a step closer to clinching a spot in the O'Reilly's Ohio Valley Conference Championship Tournament today, winning the first game 8-7 against Jacksonville State on a wild pitch, scoring the winning run all the way from second base. The Gamecocks gave its own come-from-behind effort in Game 2, winning 14-8.
In the first game, Jacksonville State led 6-2 in the middle of the third inning when Murray State (25-26, 13-10 OVC) began to chip away at the JSU lead.
With a run each in the third, fourth and fifth innings, the 'Breds were able to come within a run at 6-5 going into the bottom of the eighth.
Seth Hudson hit a one-out infield single, then went to second when Clint Griggs walked. Lincoln Kent singled in Hudson and moved Griggs to third base to tie the game at 6-6. Griggs scored the go-ahead run on a balk, giving MSU a 7-6 lead, its first lead of the day.
Jacksonville State (27-23, 15-8 OVC) scored in the top of the ninth to tied the game at 7-7, but Murray State wasn't through yet.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Jamie Leidolf reached on a throwing error that allowed him to get to second. Phil Lopez came in to pinch-run for Leidolf. Two pitches later, JSU pitcher Clark Jinks threw a wild pitch that careened off of the catcher's mitt and rolled toward the third-base dugout. The JSU catcher lost sight of the ball, and Lopez was able to motor around third and into home for the game-winning run.
Chaz Ebert and Austin Swain each had three hits in the game, while Hudson and Alex Stewart each had two. Hudson scored three runs, while Griggs had two, and Stewart had three runs batted in. Stewart had two doubles, while Hudson had one.
On defense, Dustin Hennigar made nine putouts at catcher, while Stewart had three assists at third base.
On the mound, Charlie Wade (1-1) got the win in relief, allowing one run on one hit, striking out three and walking none in two innings. Billy Fares started the game, allowing six runs on 11 hits, striking out six and walking one in seven innings.
For Jacksonville State, Clint Carroll, Austin Stein, Jake Ball, Brian Haskins and Bret Pettus each had two hits, while Carroll and Pettus each scored twice. Jason Horn drove in two runs for the Gamecocks. Horn had a triple for JSU, while Stein had a double.
On defense, Haskins and Richard Turner each had nine putouts, while Carroll, Ball and Pettus each had four assists.
Jinks (5-1) took the loss, allowing one unearned run on one hit, striking out one and walking none in two-thirds of an inning. Donovan Hand got the start, allowing five runs (four earned) on 11 hits, striking out five and walking one in 4-2/3 innings, while Tony Drinkard came on in the fifth, allowing two runs on one hit, striking out three and walking two in three innings.
In the second game, MSU took an 8-1 lead after four innings and appeared to be on its way to a twinbill sweep in the seven-inning game, but the JSU bats came alive, scoring eight runs in the sixth inning and four in the seventh en route to the 14-8 win.
Hudson and Stewart each had three hits in the game, while Ebert had two. Hudson and Stewart each scored two runs, while Stewart had three RBIs and Brett Wilson had two. Griggs had a double for the 'Breds.
On defense, Griggs and Wilson each had five putouts, while Michal Perconte had two assists.
Perconte (1-1) took the loss, allowing five runs on four hits, striking out one and walking one in one-third of an inning in the sixth. Jon Ross Shelton started for MSU, allowing five runs on 10 hits, striking out four and walking three in five innings. West Harris came on in the sixth, allowing no runs on one hit in two-thirds of an inning. Matt Scalfani closed out the game, allowing four runs (two earned) on four hits, striking out one in one inning.
For JSU, Carroll had four hits in Game 2, while Jason Horn had three. Carroll also scored three runs, while Ball had three RBIs. Carroll had three doubles for the Gamecocks.
On defense, Ball and Haskins each had five putouts, while Pettus had four assists.
On the mound, Brett Harris (2-0) got the win in relief, allowing one run on three hits, striking out one and walking four in 2-1/3 innings. Jon Clements got the start, allowing seven runs on nine hits, striking out two and walking two in 2-2/3 innings. Danny Andres entered in the sixth inning, facing two batters and walking one, while Lee Drinkard earned his fourth save, allowing no runs on one hit, striking out four and walking three in the last two innings.
Murray State will host its final game of the 2005 season tomorrow (Sunday) at 1 p.m. in the rubber game of its series against Jacksonville State. That game can be heard locally on WRKY (1130 AM, Murray).
