Murray State
Bowling Green
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'Breds drop two one-run games to visiting Bowling Green State
2/25/2006 6:00:00 AM | Baseball
In the first game, Murray State trailed 3-0 after three innings and 7-3 in the middle of the seventh before the 'Breds' bats took hold.
Tyler Pittman drove a one-out single through the left side, then went to second on a single by Michal Perconte. Catcher Jason Payton laced a triple down the right-field line, scoring Pittman and Perconte and cutting the BGSU lead to 7-5. Payton scored on a groundout to move MSU to within 7-6.
In the ninth inning, still trailing 7-6, Murray State went to work, with Pittman hitting another one-out single, legging out a hit just behind first base. Jamie Leidolf picked up an infield single to move Pittman to third, then Pittman scored on a sacrifice bunt by Payton to tie the game at 7-7.
In the top of the 10th, Bowling Green State's Josh Dietz led off with a walk, and Kevin Leady pinch-ran for him. Andrew Foster attempted a sacrifice bunt, but the ball was mishandled by pitcher Jon Newton, and Leady wound up at third. Leady scored the winning rn on a groundout, giving the Falcons (2-0) the 8-7 win.
Murray State was led at the plate by Justin Yount, who went 2-for-5 with a double and two runs batted in, and Pittman, who went 2-for-4 with three runs scored. Perconte scored twice for the 'Breds, while Payton had three RBIs. Tyler Owens had a double for MSU.
Bowling Green State was led by Tyler Wasserman, who went 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs. Foster, Dash Yost and Josh Stewart each had two hits for the Falcons, and Yost, Wasserman and Eric Lawson each had two runs, and Wasserman and Stewart each had two RBIs.
On the mound, Jon Newton (0-1) took the loss, allowing one unearned run on no hits, striking out two and walking three in 2-2/3 innings. Andrew Bishop got the start for the 'Breds, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits, striking out six and walking two in six innings. Ed Baust entered in the seventh inning, allowing two runs on four hits in 1-1/3 innings.
On defense, Perconte made 11 putouts, while Payton had nine. Yount had five assists to lead MSU.
For Bowling Green State, Dietz had eight putouts, while Lawson had four assists.
BGSU's Nick Cantrell (1-0) got the win, allowing one run on three hits, striking out one and walking one in 3-2/3 innings. Alan Brech got the start, allowing no runs on no hits, striking out three and walking two in three innings. Sam Campitella entered in the fourth, allowing three runs on two hits, walking four in two-thirds of an inning. Adam Gumpf came on in the fourth, allowing three runs on four hits, striking out one in 2-2/3 innings.
In the second game, both teams presented strong pitching. Murray State allowed only one first-inning run, but that held throughout the game in the 'Breds' 1-0 loss.
Daniel Miller got the sole hit for Murray State, a single in the third inning.
BGSU was led by Leady, who went 2-for-3 and scored the Falcons' sole run in the top of the first inning.
On defense, Kalen Gibson led the 'Breds with seven putouts, while Seth Hudson had a team-high seven assists.
Bowling Green State was led on defense by Brandon McFarland's seven putouts, while Bobby Majer and pitcher Tyler Saneholtz each had two assists.
On the mound, Perconte (0-1) took the loss, allowing one run on four hits, striking out two and walking one in six innings. West Harris pitched the seventh inning, allowing one hit and striking out two.
For BGSU, Saneholtz (1-0) got the win, allowing one hit, striking out one and walking two in 3-2/3 innings. (Both starters for BGSU were on pitch-counts or inning-counts, meaning they would only pitch for a set number of pitches or innings.) Brian Hangbers got his first save, allowing no hits, striking out three and walking two in 3-1/3 innings.
"We competed well," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "In the first game, we were able to get our offense going. In the second game, we weren't able to get that clutch hit. These guys swung the bats well last year, though, and right now, we're a fraction of an inch off. As our guys get more at-bats, we'll start getting back into that rhythm."
Murray State closes out this three-game series tomorrow (Sunday) at noon at MSU's Reagan Field.
