Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Louisville
'Breds Fall In Season-Opener At Louisville
2/20/2007 6:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds began its season-opener at Louisville with a first-inning home run, but the Cardinals were able to overcome that brief setback, scoring in every inning but the fifth in the 12-2 MSU loss.
Murray State started off on the right foot, as senior center fielder Tyler Pittman reached on a fielder's choice and senior catcher Jason Payton lined a two-out, two-run homer over the center-field wall to give MSU a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
Louisville (2-2) scored an unearned run in the first inning, and Jorge Castillo led off the bottom of the second inning with a solo shot over the right-field wall to tie the game at 2-2 after two innings. Logan Johnson stepped up in the third inning and hit a one-out solo homer to give the Cardinals a 3-2 lead.
A leadoff double by Louisville's Isaiah Howes in the fourth inning, a single by Derrick Alfonso, a walk, a hit batter and a balk gave the Cardinals a two-run inning, pushing their lead to 5-2, and a three-run fifth inning gave Louisville an 8-2 advantage.
Johnson popped another home run, a three-run shot in the seventh, to increase the lead to 11-2. The Cardinals tacked on a run in the eighth for the final tally.
"We came out ready to play," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "We played well early on, and scored some runs early, and we put the ball in play, but defensively, we allowed too many opportunities. We just need to go from here and get better."
Murray State was led by Payton, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs batted in. The 'Breds also had singles from James Akin, Seth Hudson and Tyler Owen.
Defensively, Payton led the 'Breds with nine putouts and three assists.
Louisville was led by Johnson, who was one of seven Cardinals with two hits and had five RBIs.
Defensively, catcher Derrick Alfonso had nine putouts, while shortstop Chris Cates had four assists.
Mike Perconte (0-1) took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits, striking out five and walking one in four innings. Jon Newton entered in the fifth, allowing three runs on four hits, striking out one and walking one in 1-1/3 innings, while Brad Rowland entered in the sixth, allowing three runs on two hits, striking out four and walking none in 1-2/3 innings. Jake Donze finished the game allowing one run on two hits in one inning.
For Louisville, Andrew Salgueiro (1-0) got the win in relief, allowing no hits, striking out three in two innings. Skylar Meade started for the Cardinals, allowing two runs on one hit, striking out one and walking one in two innings. Kyle Hollander allowed no hits in two innings, while Kyle Thornton allowed one hit, striking out two and walking one in one inning. Colby Wark allowed two hits and struck out three in one inning, while Gavin Logsdon allowed one hit, striking out one and walking one in one inning.
Murray State visits Kentucky (3-0) on Wednesday at 3 p.m. CT.
