Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
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Mississippi State
Big Inning Takes Out 'Breds 17-9
2/25/2007 6:00:00 AM | Baseball
Murray State led host Mississippi State 7-0 in the middle of the fourth inning and 9-7 in the middle of the seventh, but the Bulldogs bit back, scoring eight runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to push to a 17-9 win.
The Thoroughbreds will play their first home game of the season on Tuesday at 2 p.m. against Freed-Hardeman.
"We jumped on them pretty good early on," said 'Breds head coach Rob McDonald. "We kept punching and punching, but then, they came back and took a few short jabs. They just kept hitting us, a few down the line and others just out of our reach. We competed well against what will be one of the better teams in the nation, from a strong baseball conference."
Murray State took the early lead, as in the third inning, designated hitter Austin Swain led off with a single and second baseman Seth Hudson walked. Catcher Jason Payton hit a one-out single, scoring Swain, and left fielder Chad Allen popped a two-out, two-run double, scoring Hudson and Payton. First baseman James Akin hit a single that scored Allen, and the 'Breds had a 4-0 lead.
In the fourth inning, shortstop Justin Yount reached on a fielding error. Hudson then singled down the left-fiield line, moving Yount to second, then center fielder Tyler Pittman slapped his first home run of the season over the right-center field wall, giving Murray State a 7-0 lead.
Mississippi State scored a run in the fourth and three each in the fifth and sixth innings to tie the score at 7-7, but the 'Breds retook the lead in the seventh.
Right fielder Jamie Leidolf hit a one-out single, then Allen hit a single, moving Leidolf to second. Akin hit a ground-rule double, scoring Leidolf, then third baseman Tyler Owen hit a single, scoring Allen and giving Murray State a 9-7 lead.
Mississippi State sent 12 batters to the plate in the seventh inning, scoring eight runs and putting the Bulldogs ahead 15-9. The host 'Dogs scored two more in the eighth for the 17-9 final.
Murray State was led by Akin, who went 4-for-5 with a double and two runs batted in. Allen went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs and two RBIs, while Pittman had a home run and three RBIs.
Defensively, Akin had nine putouts at first base, while Hudson had a game-high five assists at second base.
Mississippi State was led by Edward Easley, who went 4-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and four runs batted in. Jeffrey Rea had two runs and three RBIs, while Brandon Turner, Mitch Moreland and Jeff Flagg each had doubles and Connor Powers had a home run.
Defensively, catcher Easley and first baseman Moreland had 10 putouts apiece, while third baseman Powers had a team-high three assists.
On the mound, Matt McGaha (0-2) took the loss, allowing eight runs on seven hits, striking out two and walking one in 1-1/3 innings. Mike Perconte started the game for Murray State, allowing four runs on four hits, striking out three and walking four in five innings. Anthony Stacy entered in the seventh inning, allowing five runs on five hits in two-thirds of an inning. Drew Leeper closed out the game, allowing one hit and striking out one in one inning.
For Mississippi State, Ricky Bowen (1-0) got the win in relief, allowing one hit and striking out two in 1-2/3 innings. Josh Johnson started the game for the Bulldogs, allowing four runs on six hits, striking out five and walking two in three innings. John Lalor entered in the fourth inning, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits, striking out three in 3-1/3 innings. Chad Crosswhite closed out the game, allowing one hit, striking out one and walking one in one inning.
