Murray State
Tennessee Tech
'Breds Drop Sunday Game To Tech 10-5
4/29/2007 5:00:00 AM | Baseball
Tennessee Tech's bats came out on fire from the start, and the Thoroughbreds were unable to counter or make a comeback, falling to the visiting Golden Eagles 10-5 on Sunday.
In the first inning, Tech's Steve Soper hit a two-run home run to put TTU on the scoreboard. Murray State (15-26, 9-7 OVC) plated a run in the third inning when senior second baseman Seth Hudson hit a one-out triple, then scored on a groundout to cut the Tech lead to 2-1.
Hudson's triple was his 10th career three-bagger, moving him into third place on MSU's all-time list.
Tennessee Tech (22-21, 9-9 OVC) added two runs in the fourth inning, but MSU added a run of its own in the bottom half of the inning when senior center fielder Tyler Pittman led off with a solo home run, his fifth longball of the season, to trim the deficit to 4-2.
The Golden Eagles added two runs in the fifth inning, then another in the seventh to take a 7-2 lead, but the 'Breds bounced back in the bottom of the eighth, as senior catcher Jason Payton led off with a single, then Pittman walked, chasing Tech starter Jared Dobbs. Sophomore third baseman Tyler Owen reached on a fielder's choice, with Payton getting out at third, then Owen and Pittman advanced a base on a wild pitch. Junior designated hitter Andrew Cella walked to load the bases, and Pittman scored on a groundout to cut the Tech lead to 7-3.
Tennessee Tech scored three runs in the top of the ninth, but the 'Breds weren't quite through. In the bottom of the ninth, senior left fielder Austin Swain led off with a walk, then Hudson bunted the ball to third base, a short roller that stopped in front of the pitcher's mound. Third baseman Brian Sprowl charged and came up throwing, but Hudson had beaten the throw, which went past the first baseman, allowing Hudson to move to third and Swain to come in to score. Senior first baseman James Akin then doubled down the left-field line, scoring Hudson, but MSU couldn't manage any more runs in the 10-5 final.
"They just out-pitched us, they out-hit us and they out-coached us," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "It's just disappointing to have somebody come into your place and beat you. We had an opportunity to get back into the game, and we just didn't rise to the occasion."
Murray State was led by Hudson, who went 2-for-4 with a triple and two runs scored. Pittman had a home run, two runs and a run batted in, while Akin had a double and two RBIs. Defensively, Akin had nine putouts, while Hudson had four assists.
For Tennessee Tech, Stuart Meinhart went 3-for-5 with a home run, two runs and two RBIs, while Michael Roeder went 3-for-4 with a run. Soper went 2-for-5 with a triple, a home run, two runs and three RBIs, while Josh Goodwin went 2-for-3 with a double, a run and two RBIs and Sprowl went 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI. Jake New went 2-for-5 with a run, while Sean Reilly had a double and scored twice, while Ryan Wardlow had two RBIs. Defensively, first baseman Meinhart had 10 putouts, while second baseman Thomas Nelson had seven assists.
On the mound, freshman left-hander Matt McGaha (2-5, 2-1 OVC) took the loss as the starter, allowing four runs on six hits, striking out two and walking none in four innings. Freshman righty Brad Rowland came on in the fifth, allowing six runs on 10 hits, striking out four and walking one in five innings.
For Tech, Jared Dobbs (4-3, 3-3 OVC) got the win, allowing three runs on seven hits, striking out two and walking four in seven-plus innings, throwing 124 pitches. Zac Cole entered in the eighth inning, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits, striking out one and walking two in two innings of work.
Murray State will be away from home for almost two weeks, visiting Belmont on Wednesday in a 6 p.m. game. The 'Breds will visit Tennessee-Martin in its next Ohio Valley Conference series on May 5-6, then return home to Reagan Field on May 12-13 to face Austin Peay.
