Murray State
Southern Illinois
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'Breds Narrowly Miss Comeback In 8-7 Loss To Hot Southern Illinois
3/1/2006 6:00:00 AM | Baseball
Southern Illinois (9-1) had won its previous seven games, and it looked like it would easily pick up its eighth straight after plating five runs in the first inning. Murray State scored a run in the second inning when Lincoln Kent hit a one-out double, took third on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Daniel Miller, but the Salukis responded with three in the fourth to take an 8-1 lead.
The 'Breds (0-6) chipped away at the lead one run at a time. In the fifth inning, Justin Yount led off with a double, then went to third on a wild pitch, then scored on another wild pitch. In the sixth, Kent laced a two-out single through the left side, then went to second on a wild pitch and scored on a double by Tyler Owen. In the seventh, Seth Hudson hit a two-out single through the right side, went to second when Tyler Pittman walked, and scored on a deep single by Michal Perconte to bring MSU to within 8-4.
In the ninth inning, Chaz Ebert reached on a fielder's error, then went to second on a single by Brett Mullins and third after Hudson hit into a fielder's choice. Pittman slapped a deep double to left center, scoring Ebert and Hudson, getting the 'Breds to within 8-6. Brett Wilson hit a two-out single to score Pittman and was lifted for pinch-runner Austin Swain with MSU ahead 8-7, but the 'Breds couldn't muster another hit in the inning.
"This time of year, you're trying to prepare a team to compete for the conference championship," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "I was proud of the way we competed. We will get much better. I've been saying: 'Just play the game. Just play the game.' We've got to focus on the things we can control. If we start playing like this every day, we will be pleased with the outcome most of the time."
Murray State's 12 hits is a season-high, and the 'Breds played its first error-free game of the season, stranding 15 SIU runners, including 10 in the first five innings.
Murray State was led at the plate by Hudson, Kent and Owen, who each had two hits. Pittman, Kent, Owent and Yount each doubled for the 'Breds.
Southern Illinois was paced by Grant Gerrard, who had four hits, including three doubles. Dean Cademartori and Matt Brewer each hit home runs for the Salukis.
On defense, first baseman Perconte had a game-high 11 putouts for MSU, while Hudson had a game-high six assists at second base. For SIU, catcher Hunter Harrigan had eight putouts, while Harrigan and shortstop Tyler Lairson each had two assists.
On the mound, Murray State starter Matt Scalfani (0-1) took the loss, allowing five runs on four hits, walking three in two-thirds of an inning. Jon Newton entered in the first inning, allowing three runs on seven hits, walking two in 3-1/3 innings. Daniel Calhoun came on in the fifth, allowing two hits, striking out one and walking two in three innings, while Andrew Bishop pitched the eighth inning, allowing no hits and walking one. Kalen Gibson closed out the game, pitching the ninth, allowing one hit, striking out two and walking one.
For Southern Illinois, starter Charlie Weber (1-0) got the win, allowing two runs on five hits, striking out four and walking three in five innings.
Mike Kane pitched the sixth inning, allowing one run on two hits, striking out two. Cory Baker entered in the seventh inning, allowing one run on one hit, walking one in two-thirds of an inning, while Danny Wells closed out the seventh, allowing one hit in one-third of an inning. Matt Brewer came on in the eighth, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits, striking out two in 1-1/3 innings, while Dusty Baker got his third save, allowing one hit and striking out two in two-thirds of an inning.
Murray State continues this four-game homestand this weekend with a three-game series against Arkansas-Little Rock. The series begins with a double-header on Saturday at noon, and will conclude with a Sunday noon game at MSU's Reagan Field.
