Murray State
Samford
'Breds within one step of clinching OVC berth
5/20/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
A lengthy rain delay couldn't dampen the excitement in the Murray State Thoroughbreds' game at Ohio Valley Conference rival Samford this afternoon. MSU got past the Bulldogs 4-3, with the game-tying and -winning runs coming on a two-run home run by Dustin Hennigar, who had been hitless in his previous 24 at-bats.
Murray State (26-28, 14-11 OVC) still has not yet clinched a spot in the O'Reilly's OVC Baseball Tournament, however. The 'Breds need to either win one of their two games tomorrow (Saturday) or have Southeast Missouri State lose to Tennessee-Martin to clinch a berth.
At Samford, the Bulldogs (19-35, 12-13 OVC) opened the scoring in the first inning when John Morgan was hit by a pitch, then went to third on a double by Bear Burnett. A two-run single by Garrett Rice gave Samford a 2-0 lead.
In the third inning, Murray State scored when Clint Griggs hit a one-out double, then Alex Stewart reached on an error, sending Griggs to third. Tyler Pittman hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Griggs to cut the Bulldog lead to 2-1.
Murray State tied the game in the fifth inning when Brett Mullins led off with a single, then stole second. Griggs hit a two-out double, scoring Mullins and knotting the game at 2-2.
In the bottom of the fifth, Samford retook the lead when Matt Alling hit a two-out double, then Burnett singled him home to put the Bulldogs ahead 3-2.
In the sixth inning, Michal Perconte hit a two-out single, then Hennigar stepped up, trying to work his way out of an 0-for-24 slump. He sent the 1-0 pitch over the wall in left-center field to put MSU ahead 4-3.
The rains came in the top of the eighth inning, delaying the game by 2 hours and 45 minutes, but Murray State was able to hold on for the win.
Griggs went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run and a run batted in to lead all hitters. Hennigar had two RBIs for MSU. On defense, Hennigar had 11 putouts at catcher, while Seth Hudson had three assists at second base.
On the mound, Craig Kraus (8-2, 4-1 OVC) settled in after allowing two first-inning runs, allowing three runs on nine hits, striking out seven and walking none in seven innings. Jon Ross Shelton got his third save of the season (his first in OVC play), allowing no runs on two hits, striking out two and walking none in two innings.
For Samford, four batters had two hits apiece, while Rice had two RBIs. On defense, Chet McDonough had 11 putouts at catcher, while McDonough and Trey Moody each had two assists.
On the mound, Parker Gargis (3-6, 3-3 OVC) took the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits, striking out nine and walking five in seven innings. Michael Neimkin came on in the eighth, allowing no runs on one hit, striking out two and walking two in two innings.
Murray State will conclude its regular-season schedule with a double-header tomorrow at noon. MSU and Samford will play two seven-inning games.
THE OVC STANDINGS: Jacksonville State, Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State have already unofficially clinched berths in the O'Reilly's OVC Baseball Tournament. Eastern Illinois, Tennessee-Martin and Tennessee Tech have already been unofficially eliminated from tournament contention. Murray State, Samford and Southeast Missouri State are each vying for the remaining two berths.
Murray State's win today eliminated Eastern Illinois from contention for a berth in the post-season finale. The 'Breds still need either a win against Samford or for SEMO to lose tomorrow to clinch a berth.
Samford needs to win both games tomorrow and have SEMO lose to gain a berth in the tournament. SEMO needs to win or have Samford lose one game to clinch a berth.
