Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Austin Peay
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'Breds Swept At Austin Peay
5/13/2006 5:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds were swept in an Ohio Valley Conference double-header at Austin Peay this afternoon, falling 10-4 in the first game before dropping the second game 3-1. Tomorrow's game at Austin Peay has been moved back to a noon start, due to the threat of inclement weather.
In Game 1, Murray State (15-36, 8-15 OVC) jumped on APSU's Rowdy Hardy -- who set the conference record for career wins earlier this year -- with two runs in the first inning. Chaz Ebert led off with a single, then went to second on a sacrifice bunt. He went to third on a groundout, then scored when Jason Payton slammed a home run to right-center field to give MSU a 2-0 lead.
The 'Breds scored again in the third inning, again through the Ebert-Payton tandem, as Ebert hit a one-out single, then went to second when James Akin reached on a fielding error. Ebert went to third on a fielder's choice, then scored on a single by Payton to give Murray State a 3-0 lead.
In the fifth inning, the Governors (29-22, 12-11 OVC) responded with two runs, then added four in the sixth and one in the seventh to take a 7-3 lead. MSU scored in the eighth when Tyler Owen reached on a fielding error, then Austin Swain reached on a fielder's choice that put Owen out. Justin Yount singled Swain to second, then a single by Brett Mullins scored Swain to cut the APSU lead to 7-4. Austin Peay added three runs in the bottom of the eighth for the final score.
Swain went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while Payton went 2-for-3 with his seventh home run of the season, one run scored and three runs batted in. For Austin Peay, Cody Youngblood and Ryan Kane had three hits apiece.
In the field, first baseman Brett Wilson had eight putouts, while second baseman Akin and catcher Payton had three assists each. For the Governors, first baseman Mike Parson had 12 putouts, while second baseman Ryan Gilboy had five assists.
On the mound, Kalen Gibson (4-7, 4-3 OVC) took the loss for Murray State, allowing seven runs (six earned) on six hits, striking out two and walking four in seven innings. West Harris closed out the game, allowing three runs on five hits, walking one in one inning.
Hardy (9-3) got the win, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits, striking out three and walking four in 6-2/3 innings. Ben Wilshire came on in the seventh, allowing one unearned run on two hits, striking out one in one inning. Brad Daniel got his sixth save of the season, allowing no hits, striking out one and walking two in 1-1/3 innings.
In the second game, APSU pitcher Shawn Kelley held the 'Breds to two hits in the seven-inning game en route to the 3-1 win.
Austin Peay scored in the first inning, but Murray State tied the game in the second when Payton led off with a bunt single, then went to second on a failed fielder's choice. He went to third on a balk, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Jamie Leidolf to knot the game at 1-1.
The Governors plated two runs in the fifth to take a 3-1 lead, but MSU threatened to tie the game in the seventh inning when Swain hit a two-out single and Owen walked, but could not bring them home.
For APSU, Youngblood went 3-for-3 with two runs scored.
In the field, catcher Payton and first baseman Leidolf each had a co-game-high six putouts, while second baseman Akin and shortstop Yount had three assists apiece. For Austin Peay, first baseman Parson had six putouts, while three Governors had two assists each.
On the mound, Michal Perconte (4-6, 2-4 OVC) took the complete-game loss, allowing three runs (one earned) on nine hits, striking out six and walking none in six innings.
Kelley (4-5) got the complete-game win, allowing one run on two hits, striking out six and walking two in seven innings.
"Our guys are really trying hard out there," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "Today, it just seemed that a mistake here or there came back to haunt us big-time or snowball on us to where -- instead of getting out of an inning -- they scored runs on us."
