'Breds Get Past Freed-Hardeman 7-6, Prepare For Road Trip To Indiana State

Wednesday, March 15

Murray, Ky.

2:00 p.m.

Murray State

Freed-Hardeman

'Breds Get Past Freed-Hardeman 7-6, Prepare For Road Trip To Indiana State

3/15/2006 6:00:00 AM | Baseball

The Murray State Thoroughbred had strong pitching down the stretch and were able to muscle across the game-winning run in the sixth inning to push past visiting Freed-Hardeman 7-6 this afternoon.

Trailing 6-5 in the top of the fifth inning with runners on first and second and none out, junior left-hander Jon Newton came on, striking out his first two batters and coaxing a fielder's choice to hold the Lions in place.

In the bottom of the fifth, Murray State (6-10) tied it when junior designated hitter Chaz Ebert hit a one-out triple, then scored on a single by freshman catcher Daniel Miller to even the game at 5-5.

In the sixth inning, junior center fielder Tyler Pittman led off with a double, then went to third on a sacrifice bunt by senior left fielder Lincoln Kent. Pittman scored on a sacrifice fly by junior first baseman Jamie Leidolf, and held the Lions (11-6) to a hit in the eighth inning for the win.

Murray State was led by Pittman's game-high three hits ? all doubles ? to go with two runs scored and two runs driven in. Senior right fielder Brett Mullins extended his on-base streak to 18 games, dating to last season, with two hits, while Kent and Miller also had two hits apiece, with Miller picking up a double. Ebert tripled for MSU, while junior second baseman Seth Hudson extended his hitting streak to a team-high seven games and scored twice.

Freed-Hardeman was led by Jarrett Jones and Martin Lykins, who had two hits apiece. Lykins doubled for the Lions, while Justin Forrest picked up a triple. Robert Matlock and Andrew Carson each drove in two runs for FHU.

In the field, Leidolf and Miller each had seven putouts, while third baseman Tyler Owen had four assists. For Freed-Hardeman, Matlock had 11 putouts at first base, while Raynel Robles had four assists at third base.

On the mound, Newton (2-1) got the win, allowing one hit in five innings, striking out three and walking one. West Harris started for the 'Breds, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits, striking out four and walking one in four-plus innings.

For FHU, Joey Haston (1-1) took the loss, allowing seven runs (five earned) on 11 hits, striking out one and walking two in seven innings. Nick McClary came on in the eighth, allowing one hit in one inning.

"Freed-Hardeman came in ready to play, and they got after us pretty good," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "We played just barely well enough to win.

"This game was all about Jon Newton. He came in in the fifth and pitched five full innings and didn't give up a run."

Murray State visits Indiana State for a three-day, three-game series beginning Friday at 2 p.m. CT.

"Indiana State is a real good program," said McDonald. "They recently beat Austin Peay, one of the best teams in our conference, and (ISU) is especially good at home. This will be a good test for us and help us prepare for OVC play."

Murray State's other games at Indiana State this week are on Saturday at noon and Sunday at noon.