Murray State
Tennessee Tech
'Breds Split Twinbill With Tennessee Tech
4/28/2007 5:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds find themselves just one game behind a logjam at the top of the Ohio Valley Conference standings, splitting its double-header against visiting Tennessee Tech, winning the first game 11-0 and dropping the second game 15-11. MSU (15-25, 9-6 OVC) is a game behind three teams tied at 11-6 in OVC play, as Jacksonville State, Southeast Missouri State and Austin Peay are all tied for first.
Senior center fielder Tyler Pittman tied the MSU career doubles record with his 54th career two-bagger in Game 2, tying the record set by Brett McCutchan (2000-03).
"Mike Perconte came in and pitched like we knew he was capable of pitching," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "He's been plugging away and getting his bullpen workouts in and pitched very well against a good offensive ball club.
"In the second game, we got to their starting pitcher relatively early, but we just couldn't hold them down. We were able to score our runs, but we just couldn't hold them enough to make the comeback."
Murray State took Game 1 from the start, as junior right-hander Mike Perconte (4-5, 3-2 OVC) pitched brilliantly, allowing singles in just the first and seventh innings and going the distance, striking out five and walking one in nine innings.
The 'Breds got on the scoreboard first, with sophomore third baseman Tyler Owen hitting a solo home run in the second inning to give MSU a 1-0 lead. In the third inning, senior second baseman Seth Hudson laced a two-out single through the right side, then senior first baseman James Akin hit an infield single. Senior catcher Jason Payton also hit an infield single to load the bases, and Pittman walked, scoring Hudson to push the lead to 2-0.
In the fourth inning, junior designated hitter Andrew Cella led off with a double, then senior left fielder Austin Swain singled him in with two outs. Swain stole second and went to third on a passed ball, then scored on another passed ball to make it 4-0.
In the seventh inning, Swain reached on a throwing error to lead off the inning, advancing to second on the play. Hudson then drew a walk, and Akin reached on a fielder's choice on an attempted sacrifice bunt, with Swain getting out at third. Payton doubled in Hudson and Akin to push the 'Breds' lead to 6-0.
In the eighth inning, Murray State used four hits to score five runs to keep the game out of reach. Senior right fielder Jamie Leidolf led off with a walk, then sophomore shortstop Justin Yount sacrificed him to second. Swain singled through the right side, scoring Leidolf, and junior Matt Scheer went in to pinch-run for Swain. Hudson singled Scheer to second, and Akin singled him in, moving Hudson to second. Payton reached on a fielder's error, scoring Hudson, and Pittman got his first double of the day, driving in Akin and Payton to cap the scoring at 11-0.
MSU was led at the plate by Akin, who went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and one run batted in. Owen went 2-for-3 with a his sixth home run of the season, a run and an RBI, while Pittman went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Payton went 2-for-5 with a double, a run and two RBIs, while Swain went 2-for-4 with a run and two RBIs and Hudson went 2-for-3 with three runs. Cella doubled for the 'Breds. Defensively, Akin had 10 putouts, while Owen had three assists.
For Tennessee Tech (21-21, 8-9 OVC), Jake New and Sean Reilly each singled. Defensively, first baseman Stuart Meinhart had 11 putouts, while second baseman Thomas Nelson had five assists.
On the mound for Tech, Blake Forst (3-3, 1-2 OVC) took the loss, allowing six runs (four earned) on 10 hits, striking out six and walking three in 6-2/3 innings. Matt Kearney came on in the seventh and allowed two runs on one hit, walking two in two-thirds of an inning. Adam Liberatore entered in the eighth inning, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits, while Joshua Rider finished the game for TTU, allowing no runs on no hits and walking two in two-thirds of an inning.
In the second game, Tennessee Tech exacted revenge, jumping out to a 7-0 lead and pushing that lead to nine on two separate occasions, holding on to win the latter game 15-11.
The Golden Eagles scored six runs in the first inning and another in the second before Murray State was able to get on the scoreboard. In the bottom of the second inning, Leidolf reached on a fielder's choice, then Yount doubled him in. Swain drew a walk -- marking his 13th straight game to reach on a walk -- then Hudson doubled in Yount and Swain. Akin singled in Hudson to close the gap to 7-4.
Tennessee Tech responded in the third inning, scoring six runs, but MSU was able to score in the fourth inning. Swain hit a two-out single up the middle, then Hudson drew a walk. Akin walked to load the bases, and Payton singled in Swain and Hudson to make it 13-6.
Tech got those two runs back in the top of the sixth inning to take a 15-6 lead, but MSU mounted a comeback, as Hudson reached on a fielder's error, then Akin hit a one-out single. Pittman hit his record-tying double, scoring Hudson and Akin, then Owen singled him in. Cella singled Owen to third, and Owen scored on a single by Leidolf to make it 15-10.
In the bottom of the seventh and last inning, Hudson hit a one-out single, then went to second on a wild pitch. Akin drew a walk, then both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Payton sacrificed in Hudson, but the 'Breds could score no more in their 15-11 loss.
Hudson went 3-for-4 with a double, four runs and two RBIs to lead the 'Breds batters. Akin went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI, while Payton went 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Pittman and Yount doubled for MSU, while Swain scored two runs and Pittman had two RBIs. Defensively, Akin had eight putouts, while Owen and Yount each had two assists.
For Tennessee Tech, Jake New went 3-for-5 with a double, a triple, three runs and two RBIs. Steve Soper went 2-for-3 with a home run, a run scored and five RBIs, while Cory Wright went 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs and five RBIs. Broan Sprowl went 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs, while Nelson went 2-for-4 with a run. Reilly had a triple for the Golden Eagles, while Stuart Meinhart had three runs. Defensively, catcher Wright had six putouts, whileNelson had three assists.
On the mound, Lucas Allen (2-4, 2-2 OVC) took the loss, allowing seven runs on eight hits in 1-2/3 innings. Anthony Stacy came on in the second inning, allowing five runs on three hits and walking two in one-third of an inning. Bryan Baldini entered in the third inning, allowing three runs on four hits, striking out four and walking one in four innings, while Drew Leeper pitched the seventh inning, facing the minimum three batters.
For Tech, Jake Edwards (4-3, 1-2 OVC) got the win in relief, allowing seven runs (three earned) on eight hits, striking out four and walking four in 4-1/3 innings. Matt Smith started for the Golden Eagles, allowing four runs on five hits, striking out two and walking one in two innings. Zac Cole closed the game for TTU, walking one in two-thirds of an inning.
The teams will play the rubber game of the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. at MSU's Reagan Field. Fans can hear the action locally on WOFC (1130 AM, Murray) or worldwide through the live audio link at www.GoRacers.com. Live Stats for the game will also be available through that Web site.
