Murray State
Eastern Kentucky
'Breds Sweep Colonels 6-5 And 3-2
4/15/2007 5:00:00 AM | Baseball
Murray State's double-header against Ohio Valley Conference rival Eastern Kentucky turned out to be a well-pitched game followed by an outright pitchers' duel, and the Thoroughbreds needed extra innings to decide both games, taking the first game 6-5 in eight innings and the second game 3-2 in 11 innings (both games were slated to go seven innings). The wins brought MSU from sixth place to third place in the OVC standings and set the 'Breds on a five-game win streak, the longest since a seven-game string from Feb. 21 to March 2, 2001.
"We finally had some things go our way today," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "Our guys are competing and doing a lot of things well. (Christian) Friedrich pitched really well for Eastern Kentucky today, but our pitchers also really did a good job. Mike Perconte pitched well, better than what the statistics will show, and Lucas Allen pitched really, really great. He kept us in the game in an absolute pitching duel, and Matt McGaha came in and pitched well. I'm proud of the way our guys scrapped and clawed and dug to get the wins today."
In the first game, it looked like EKU's pitching ace, Christian Friedrich, would exact his revenge against Murray State for being the only league team to hand him a loss last season. Friedrich went six innings and allowed just one run on two hits over six innings of work, striking out 11 and walking two. He had a perfect game going through 4-1/3 innings.
Eastern Kentucky (14-16-1, 5-5 OVC) scored three runs in the third inning and two in the fourth to take a quick 5-0 lead, but Murray State (11-21, 6-4 OVC) worked its way back into the game.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, senior left fielder Austin Swain drew a two-out walk, followed by a walk to senior second baseman Seth Hudson. Senior first baseman James Akin slapped a single to center, scoring Swain and putting the 'Breds on the scoreboard, trailing 5-1.
In the seventh and last regulation inning, senior center fielder Tyler Pittman led off with a walk, and sophomore third baseman Tyler Owen doubled him to third. Freshman designated hitter Chad Allen drew a walk to load the bases, and with one out, junior Andrew Cella lofted a high fly ball to right field. The fielder had the ball in his glove, but it squirted out, allowing Pittman to score and leaving the bases loaded with one out. Owen scored on a groundout, and Hudson hit an infield single, scoring Allen. Freshman Wes Cunningham, who pinch-ran for Cella, scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at 5-5 and send it into extra innings.
In the eighth inning, Pittman hit a one-out double, then Owen followed with a double of his own, scoring Pittman and giving MSU the 6-5 win.
Murray State was led by Owen, who went 2-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored and a run batted in, and Hudson, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Pittman had a double for the 'Breds and scored two runs. Defensively, Akin had a game-high 14 putouts, while junior pitcher Mike Perconte had a game-high six assists.
For Eastern Kentucky, Joe Oliver went 2-for-4 with two runs, while Zach Monroe went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Lucas Waters had a double for the Colonels. Defenisvely, catcher Oliver had 13 putouts, while second baseman Matt Davis and Friedrich each had two assists.
On the mound, Perconte (3-5, 2-2 OVC) got the complete-game win, allowing five runs (four earned) on 10 hits, striking out three and walking one in eight innings.
Chris Hord (1-2, 0-1 OVC) took the loss for EKU, allowing one run on two hits, striking out one in two-thirds of an inning. McKenzie Willoughby entered in the seventh inning for Friedrich, allowing four runs (one earned) on two hits, striking out one and walking two in two-thirds of an inning.
In the second game, both teams pitched brilliantly, as Murray State junior Lucas Allen allowed one run on six hits, striking out three and walking one in nine innings of work. His counterpart, Eric Hash, allowed one unearned run on three hits, striking out six and walking two in seven innings.
Eastern Kentucky broke the 0-0 draw in the top of the sixth inning when Aaron Barrows led off with a single, was moved to second on a sacrifice, went to third on a groundout and scored on a single to give the Colonels a 1-0 lead.
Murray State responded in the bottom half of the inning, as Payton hit a one-out double, then scored on a fielding error to knot the game at 1-1. Neither team was able to score in the seventh inning, sending it into extra innings.
The 'Breds had the bases loaded in the eighth inning with two outs, but were unable to push across a run. In the 10th inning, EKU scored a run to take a 2-1 lead, but MSU was not through yet.
In the bottom of the 10th, Hudson led off with a single, then went to second on a sacrifice. Payton hit a single to left field, scoring Hudson and tying the game at 2-2. Pittman singled Payton to second, and Payton went to third on a flyout. Chad Allen drew a walk to load the bases, but Cella grounded out to end the threat and keep the game going.
In the bottom of the 11th inning, Yount led off with an infield single, then Swain beat out a bunt single. Hudson sacrificed the runners over a base, and Akin was intentionally walked to load the bases. Payton stepped up and launched a 3-2 pitch into deep right-center field to score Yount and give the 'Breds the double-header sweep.
For Murray State, Payton went 3-for-6 with a double, a run and two RBIs, while Hudson went 3-for-5 with a run. Yount went 2-for-5 with a run for MSU. Defensively, Akin had a game-high 16 putouts, while Yount, who played brilliantly at shortstop for the 'Breds, had a game-high seven assists.
For Eastern Kentucky, Barrows went 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI, while Oliver had a double for the Colonels. Defensively, first baseman Clint Seymour had 12 putouts, while Davis had four assists.
On the mound, McGaha (1-3, 1-0 OVC) got his first career win, allowing one run on two hits and walking one in two innings of relief. Lucas Allen got the start and pitched a gem, allowing one run on six hits, striking out three and walking one in nine innings.
For the Colonels, Alex Napier (0-3, 0-1 OVC) took the loss in relief, allowing two runs on six hits and walking two in 1-1/3 innings. Jim Clancy came on in the eighth for Hash, allowing no runs on one hit, striking out one and walking two in two innings.
Murray State visits Evansville on Tuesday for a 6 p.m. game. The 'Breds will then return home for a makeup game against Freed-Hardeman on Wednesday at 2 p.m. The game was originally scheduled for Feb. 27.
SERIES INDICATIONS: Seth Hudson led Murray State against Eastern Kentucky, going 5-for-8 (.625) with a run scored and a run batted in for the two-game series. Jason Payton went 3-for-10 (.300) with a double, a run and two RBIs in the series. Tyler Pittman went 2-for-7 (.286) with a double and two runs scored. He also walked twice and didn't strike out in the series for an on-base percentage of .444. Over his last seven games, Pittman has drawn nine walks with only two strikeouts.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW: Seth Hudson led the 'Breds at the plate in the four games played this week, hitting 10-for-17 (.588) with four runs scored and six runs batted in. He had an on-base percentage of .612.
Austin Swain -- who had a brilliant series against No. 39 Memphis this week -- went 6-for-17 (.353) this week with a double, five runs and four RBIs and an on-base percentage of .476. Tyler Owen went 6-for-18 (.333) with four doubles (slugging .556), two runs and three RBIs, while Justin Yount hit 5-for-15 (.333) with five runs and an RBI. For the week, Murray State hit .306, holding opponents to .271 hitting.
On the mound, Lucas Allen had a 1.00 earned-run average, allowing one run on six hits, striking out three and walking one in nine innings against Eastern Kentucky. Matt McGaha had a 3.00 ERA this week, allowing two earned runs on seven hits, striking out three and walking three in six innings in games against EKU and Memphis. Anthony Stacy had a 0.00 ERA, allowing no runs on two hits and walking three in two innings against Memphis, getting the win on Tuesday.
