'Breds Fall 7-6 In 13 Innings

Thursday, March 23

Murray, Ky.

2:00 p.m.

Murray State

Lambuth

3/23/2006 6:00:00 AM | Baseball

The Murray State Thoroughbreds battled with visiting Lambuth through 13 innings of baseball only to fall 7-6 on an unearned run. The game was the longest for the 'Breds since beating Southeast Missouri 7-6 in a 13-inning game at Reagan Field on March 25, 2005.

"We had problems making adjustments at the plate," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "We also let some opportunities get past us, but we also cut down their opportunities, too, when they arose."

Murray State (7-14) trailed 5-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning when the 'Breds' bats came to life. Justin Yount led off with a single, then Brett Mullins singled him to second. Yount went to third on a flyout, then Tyler Pittman singled him in, moving Mullins to second. Brett Wilson singled to load the bases, and Tyler Owen walked in Mullins. Austin Swain singled in Pittman to cut the Lambuth lead to 5-3.

In the seventh inning, MSU again plated three runs when Michael Serraglio led off with an infield single, then went to second on a groundout. Mullins walked, then Hudson singled Serraglio in, moving Mullins to third. Hudson stole second base, then Wilson was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Owen singled in Mullins and Hudson to put Murray State ahead 6-5.

Lambuth (13-16) scored a run in the ninth inning to tie the game, and MSU was unable to get on base, sending the game into extra innings.

The Eagles had the bases loaded with one out in the 11th inning, but pitcher Marc Harmon coaxed a strikeout, then got the next batter to ground out to cut off the threat.

Murray State had singles in the 10th and 12th innings, but were unable to move the runners any further.

In the top of the 13th, Lambuth's Brandon Jackson led off with a sharply hit line drive to third base that ticked off of Owen's glove, allowing him to get to first. He stole second, then moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Raphael Matos. Jackson scored on a sacrifice fly to put the Eagles ahead 7-6.

In the bottom half of the inning, Jamie Leidolf reached on a throwing error, but could not get any further, ending the game after 3 hours and 41 minutes of play on a cold, overcast day.

Swain led the MSU offense with three hits, while Owen had two hits and three runs batted in. Wilson and Leidolf also had two hits each, with Leidolf getting the 'Breds' sole extra-base hit, a triple. Mullins scored twice for Murray State.

Lambuth was led by Jason Serrano, who had four hits and two runs, while Patrick Lackey and Wesley Daniels had three hits apiece. Matos had two hits, while Keith Winberry drove in two runs for the Eagles.

In the field, Leidolf had a co-game-high 15 putouts at first base, while Yount had a game-high six assists at shortstop. For Lambuth, first baseman Jason Kelly had 15 putouts, while second baseman Serrano and pitcher Mathew Riley had five assists each.

On the mound, Harmon (1-1) took the loss despite an excellent performance in relief, allowing two runs (one earned) on eight hits, striking out three and walking one in seven innings of work. Anthony Stacy started the game, allowing three runs on five hits, striking out two and walking one in three-plus innings. Matt Scalfani came on in the fourth inning and allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits, striking out three and walking three in three innings.

For Lambuth, Riley got the win, allowing three runs on seven hits, striking out two and walking two in 7-2/3 innings. T.J. Sheehan started for the Eagles, allowing three runs on seven hits, striking out four in 5-1/3 innings.

Murray State opens its Ohio Valley Conference season on Saturday with a noon double-header against Samford (9-12).