Murray State
Tennessee Tech
Akin Slams Two Homers As 'Breds Split At Tech
4/29/2006 5:00:00 AM | Baseball
James Akin hit two home runs, going 4-for-8 with six runs batted in as the Murray State Thoroughbreds split its Ohio Valley Conference double-header at Tennessee Tech, winning the first game 5-2 but losing the second game 8-7 in eight innings.
Akin had only one career home run before today, with that one also coming at Tennessee Tech in the 2004 season.
In the first game, Murray State (13-31, 6-11 OVC) broke up a scoreless tie in the fourth inning when Brett Wilson hit a one-out home run, his first of the season and his second as a 'Bred. Tyler Owen then beat out an infield single, then Akin popped his first home run of the day, a crushing blow to deep right field to put MSU ahead 3-0.
Murray State scored again in the seventh inning when Austin Swain drew a one-out walk before Tyler Pittman scored him with a double to give the 'Breds a 4-0 lead. MSU plated another run in the eighth when Justin Yount hit a one-out single, then went to second on a single by Brett Mullins. Swain singled up the middle to score Yount and give MSU a 5-0 lead. Tennessee Tech (15-29, 8-9 OVC) scored two runs in the eighth for the final score.
Akin went 2-for-4 with a home run, a run scored and two runs batted in, while Owen went 2-for-4 with a double. Pittman also doubled for Murray State.
For Tennessee Tech, Jake New had two hits, including a double, while Steve Soper also had a double for the Golden Eagles.
In the field, catcher Jason Payton and first baseman Wilson each had nine putouts, while third baseman Owen had a game-high four assists. For TTU, catcher Soper had 10 putouts, while third baseman Brian Sprowl had three assists.
On the mound, Kalen Gibson (3-6, 3-3 OVC) got the win, allowing two runs on nine hits, striking out six and walking two in eight innings. Michal Perconte came on to get his second save of the season (both in OVC play), striking out one in one inning.
For Tech, Justin Fields (2-5) took the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits, striking out seven and walking three in seven innings. Patrick Kimmons closed out the game, allowing one run on three hits and striking out two in two innings of work.
In the second game, a grand slam by Akin gave Murray State a 7-6 lead, but Tennessee Tech was able to tie the game in the seventh inning and win the game in the eighth, 8-7.
Tennessee Tech scored two runs on a home run by Soper in the first inning, but MSU responded in the second. Payton legged out a leadoff bunt single, then went to second on a passed ball. He went to third on a fielder's choice, then scored on a single by Yount to cut the Tech lead to 2-1.
The Golden Eagles used another two-run homer in the second inning to go ahead 4-1, but the 'Breds inched back.
In the fourth inning, Owen hit a one-out single, then went to second on a single by Swain. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, and Owen scored on a single by Mullins to cut the lead to 4-2.
In the fifth inning, Chaz Ebert led off with a double, then went to third on a groundout. He scored on a double by Pittman to trim the Tech lead to 4-3. In the bottom half of the inning, however, Tech scored two unearned runs to take a 6-3 lead.
In the sixth inning, Yount was hit by a pitch, then Mullins doubled to left, moving Yount to third. Ebert drew a one-out walk before Akin stepped up and hit his second home run of the day, a grand slam to right center field to give MSU a 7-6 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh, Tennessee Tech scored a run, then won the game on a solo shot by New, 8-7 in eight innings.
Akin and Mullins each had two hits to lead Murray State. Akin homered, while Mullins, Ebert and Pittman had doubles. For Tech, Soper had three hits, including a double and a home run. New and Scott Dunham also homered for the Golden Eagles.
In the field, Wilson had seven putouts at first while three players had two assists each. For Tech, Soper had nine putouts, while two players each had two assists.
On the mound, Perconte (3-4, 1-3 OVC) took the loss, allowing two runs on two hits in 1-2/3 innings. Andrew Bishop started for the 'Breds, allowing six runs (four earned) on six hits, striking out one and walking three in 5-2/3 innings.
For Tech, Matt Smith (3-3) got the win, allowing four runs on two hits, striking out three and walking one in three innings. Blake Forst started for TTU, allowing three runs on eight hits, striking out four and walking three in five innings.
The rubber game of the series will begin tomorrow at noon. The time has been changed for consideration of possible rain.
