Murray State
Austin Peay
'Breds swept in double-header by APSU batting barrage
5/7/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds were swept in an Ohio Valley Conference double-header today by rival Austin Peay. The Governors' bats were the key, as APSU had 21 hits in the 15-7 first-game win and used a four-run sixth in the second game to win 6-1.
The first game featured two of the league's top pitchers, with MSU's Craig Kraus facing off against Rowdy Hardy, but soon turned out not to be the pitchers' duel that fans expected.
Austin Peay (31-15, 14-6 OVC) took a 9-0 lead after three innings. Governors relief pitching let things slip, but APSU was able to hold on for the 15-7 win.
Seth Hudson had a team-high four hits to go with a run and a run batted in. Brett Mullins added three hits and a run and an RBI, while Tyler Pittman and Michal Perconte each chipped in two hits. Chaz Ebert scored twice, had a double and had two RBIs for MSU.
On defense, Josh Foreman had six putouts at first base, while Alex Stewart had five assists at third base.
Craig Kraus (7-2, 3-1 OVC) had little defensive support, as fielders made four errors in the first two innings. Kraus allowed 13 runs (nine earned) on 15 hits, striking out two and walking three in 4-1/3 innings. Jamie Leidolf finished the game, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits, striking out one and walking one in 4-2/3 innings.
For Austin Peay, Ryan Kane went 5-for-6 with four runs and four RBIs. Cody Youngblood went 4-for-4 with four runs and an RBI.
On defense, Chris Poynter made six putouts at first base, while James Ray made five assists at third.
Rowdy Hardy (9-4) got the win, allowing two runs on eight hits, striking out two and walking two in six innings. Jeff Lykins came on in the seventh, allowing five runs on seven hits, striking out two and walking one in two innings. Dane Milleville closed out the game, allowing one hit, striking out one and walking one in one inning.
The second game was more of a pitchers' duel. The Governors scored a run in the first, but Murray State responded with an unearned run in the third. APSU plated one in the fifth and four in the sixth for the 6-1 win.
Ebert had a co-game-high two hits for the 'Breds (23-25, 11-9 OVC). On defense, Clint Griggs had five putouts at first base, while Jon Ross Shelton had four assists from the mound.
Shelton (1-6, 1-3 OVC) allowed six runs (four earned) on seven hits, striking out two and walking three in six innings. Charlie Wade finished out the game, allowing one hit and striking out one in one inning.
For APSU, Poynter had two hits. On defense, Brett Luther and Jared Walker each had five putouts, while Ray and Bo Baker each had two assists.
On the mound, Shawn Kelley (5-2) got the win, allowing one unearned run on five hits, striking out two and walking one in 5-1/3 innings. Brad Daniel finished the game, allowing no hits and striking out two in 1-2/3 innings.
"The came out on all cylinders," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "I hate what happened to Craig (Kraus). I know we left him in too long. We we down big in the third inning, and the guy we usually go to, Matt Scalfani, was sick today, so he had to give us some more innings. I didn't want to burn our relief for the weekend after the first five innings of the first game.
"Craig helped us out by staying in and doing his best. Jamie Leidolf also helped us out big time by coming in and throwing strikes. He did a nice job of holding the game and keeping APSU from scoring.
"Jon Ross Shelton pitched well for us in the second game and kept us in it," McDonald said. "For the most part, today wasn't about us kicking the ball around and giving it to (Austin Peay). They hit better than we did, they fielded better and just beat us."
The third and final game of the series will be played tomorrow (Sunday) at 1 p.m. at MSU's Reagan Field.
