Murray State
Eastern Illinois
'Breds Split Arctic Affair At Eastern Illinois
4/6/2007 5:00:00 AM | Baseball
It was cold enough for two snow delays to halt action at Murray State's double-header at Eastern Illinois, but the Thoroughbreds didn't cool their heels for long, as their bats got hot enough to score a season-high 15 runs to win the second game 15-4, earning a split in the polar pair of games, as host EIU won the first game 11-2.
The teams will face each other in the rubber game of the series on Saturday at 1 p.m. Fans can follow the live action through live audio and Live Stats through the official Web site of Murray State athletics, www.GoRacers.com.
In that second game, Murray State (7-21, 4-4 OVC) scored seven runs in the second inning and iced the game from there, winning 15-4. The Thoroughbreds led 7-1 after the second inning, then the teams matched scoring for the next two innings, as each team scored two runs in the third inning and one in the fourth to give MSU a 10-4 lead.
Murray State scored a run in the fifth inning, then senior catcher Jason Payton pounded a three-run homer in the sixth and sophomore third baseman Tyler Owen lofted a solo shot in the seventh for the 15-4 final.
Payton went 4-for-5 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and three runs batted in. Owen, senior first baseman James Akin and senior center fielder Tyler Pittman each had two hits, with Pittman getting a double. Owen had four RBIs, while Pittman and senior second baseman Seth Hudson each had two. Seven 'Breds scored two runs apiece.
Defensively, Akin and sophomore shortstop Justin Yount each had five putouts, while Owen and junior pitcher Lucas Allen each had two assists.
For Eastern Illinois (12-13, 5-3 OVC), Jason Cobb went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs.Kory Peppenhorst scored twice for the Panthers.
Defensively, center fielder Brett Nommensen had six putouts for EIU, while shortstop Adam Varrassi had two assists.
On the mound, Allen (2-2, 2-0 OVC) went the distance, allowing four runs on six hits, striking out three and walking three in seven innings.
For Eastern Illinois, Alex Guttosch (0-3, 0-1 OVC) took the loss, allowing six runs on five hits, striking out two and walking one in 1-1/3 innings. Mike Budde came on in the second, allowing three runs on four hits and walking two in one inning. Brian Morrell entered in the third inning, allowing one run on no hits, striking out one and walking five in 1-1/3 innings, while Drew Gierich closed out the game, allowing five runs on six hits, striking out two and walking one in 3-1/3 innings.
Game 1 of the double-header was halted twice in the fifth inning due to snow flurries that blew through Coaches Stadium infrequently (and at times horizontally) during the first game. Both delays totaled no more than 10 minutes, and could not cool off the Panther bats, as Eastern Illinois took the first game 11-2.
EIU got on the scoreboard with a run in the second inning and two in the third, but as MSU did in the second game, the Panthers put together a seven-run inning, plating seven in the fifth inning to ice the game with a 10-0 lead.
Murray State scored a run in the sixth inning when Hudson scored on a fielder's choice, but Eastern Illinois matched that run with one of its own in the seventh. In the eighth inning, senior right fielder Jamie Leidolf singled in Akin for the final score in the 11-2 loss.
Hudson, Akin, Leidolf and senior designated hitter Austin Swain each had two hits in the game, with Payton claiming a double for the 'Breds.
Defensively, Akin had seven putouts, while Hudson, Owen and Yount each had two assists.
For EIU, Peppenhorst and Mark Chagnon each had three hits, while Richie Derbak had two. Peppenhorst and Jordan Kreke each had doubles for the Panthers, while Jason Cobb had a solo home run. Three Panthers had two runs, while Kreke had three RBIs.
Defensively, catcher Peppenhorst had 10 putouts, while Varrassi and third baseman Adam Campbell each had two assists.
On the mound, Mike Perconte (2-5, 1-2 OVC) took the loss, allowing 10 runs (six earned) on nine hits, striking out two and walking two in 4-1/3 innings. Matt McGaha came on in the fifth inning and closed the game, allowing one run on three hits, striking out three and walking none in 3-2/3 innings.
For EIU, Chris Vaculik (2-5, 1-1 OVC) got the win, allowing one run on eight hits, striking out seven and walking one in seven innings. Tyler Brandon closed out the game, allowing a run on three hits, striking out one and walking one in two innings.
