Murray State
Evansville
'Breds Fall At Evansville 7-5
4/17/2007 5:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds scored the first four runs of the game at regional rival Evansville, but the host Purple Aces came back to win the game 7-5.
The 'Breds (11-22) got on the scoreboard right away, as senior first baseman James Akin hit a two-out single, then senior designated hitter Jason Payton singled him to third. Senior center fielder Tyler Pittman walked to load the bases, then sophomore third baseman Tyler Owen singled through the left side, scoring Akin and Payton and giving MSU a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
Murray State tacked on two more runs in the second inning when sophomore shortstop Justin Yount hit a one-out single, then went to second on a sacrifice by senior left fielder Austin Swain. Senior second baseman Seth Hudson then laced a triple into the right-field gap, scoring Yount, and Akin singled in Hudson to give the 'Breds a 4-0 lead.
Evansville (26-13) put a run on the board in the second inning and two more in the third to narrow the MSU lead to 4-3.
Murray State scored a run in the fourth when Yount walked, went to second on a sacrifice by Swain, went to third on a single by Hudson and scored on a single by Akin, putting the 'Breds ahead 5-3.
The Purple Aces mounted a comeback in the bootom of the sixth, scoring three runs and chasing freshman starter Matt McGaha, giving Evansville its first lead of the game at 6-5. The Purple Aces added a run in the seventh to close out the scoring at 7-5.
Murray State was led by Hudson, who went 3-for-4 with a triple, a runs scored and a run batted in. Akin also went 3-for-4 with a run and two RBIs, while Owen went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Yount scored twice for the 'Breds, who outhit Evansville 12-10.
Evansville was paced by Kirk Bacsu, who went 3-for-4 with a double and a triple and two runs. Jim Viscomi went 2-for-3 with a double, a triple, two runs and an RBI. Tony Krider scored twice for the Purple Aces, while Pat Tumilty had three RBIs.
On the mound, McGaha (1-4) took the loss, allowing six runs on six hits and walking two in 5-1/3 innings. Brad Rowland came on in the sixth and closed out the game, allowing one run on four hits, striking out one in 2-2/3 innings.
Evansville's Jeremy Kuester (3-1 got the win in relief, allowing no runs on two hits and walking one in four innings. Fred Jones picked up his first save of the season, allowing no runs on no hits, striking out one and walking one in the ninth. Tristan Facer started for the Purple Aces, allowing four runs on six hits, striking out three and walking one in two innings. Wade Kapteyn came on in the third inning, allowing one run on four hits, striking out two and walking one in two innings.
Murray State returns home to take on Freed-Hardeman on Wednesday at 3 p.m. That game was postponed from Feb. 27 due to inclement weather. Live Stats will be available for this game through www.GoRacers.com.
