Murray State
Mississippi
'Breds fall at No. 18 Mississippi
5/4/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds played flawless defense, recording their sixth error-free game of the season, but that wasn't enough as No. 18 Mississippi claimed its seventh straight win by the score of 10-2 tonight.
The Rebels (34-13) are one of three MSU opponents ranked among the top 27 in the USA Today/ESPN poll this week. Earlier this season, the 'Breds beat No. 25 Missouri 6-5 and fell at No. 27 Vanderbilt 5-2.
Murray State (23-23) trailed 7-0 before getting on the scoreboard in the fourth inning. With two outs, Alex Stewart singled down the left-field line, then stole second base. Tyler Pittman singled him in to cut the Rebel lead to 7-1.
The 'Breds' second run came in the seventh inning, when Michal Perconte led off with a single, then went to second on a single by Brett Mullins. Both runners advanced a base on a groundout, then Perconte scored on another groundout to end the scoring at 10-2.
Seth Hudson led the MSU offense with two hits, going 2-for-4 with a run batted in. On defense, Clint Griggs and Brett Wilson each had six putouts, while Hudson had two assists at second base.
Jake Ociesa (3-6) took the loss for Murray State, allowing eight runs on six hits, striking out four and walking four in three-plus innings. Matt Scalfani came on in the fourth, allowing two runs on four hits, striking out three and walking one in three innings. Charlie Wade pitched the seventh inning, facing the minimum three batters and getting two strikeouts. Billy Fares finished the game, allowing two hits, striking out one and walking one in one inning.
For Mississippi, Brian Pettway went 2-for-2 with two home runs and six RBIs. Chris Coghlan and Stephen Head also had two hits for the Rebels. On defense, Head had 11 putouts at first base, while Cooper Osteen and Ryne Porter each had three assists.
On the mound, William Kline (2-2) got the win, allowing one run on three hits, striking out two and walking three in 3-2/3 innings. Michael Wakefield came on in the fourth inning, allowing no runs on two hits, striking out one and walking one in 2-1/3 innings. Stoney Stone entered in the seventh, allowing one run on three hits, striking out two in two innings, and Pettway closed out the game, facing the minimum three batters and getting one strikeout in the ninth.
Murray State returns home and gets back into Ohio Valley Conference play when the 'Breds host Austin Peay in a three-game series this weekend. The Saturday double-header begins at 1 p.m., while the Sunday game also begins at 1 p.m. at Reagan Field. The action can be heard locally on WRKY (1130 AM, Murray).
