Murray State
Jacksonville State
'Breds Clinch Tournament Berth
5/18/2007 5:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds unofficially clinched a berth in the O'Reilly Ohio Valley Conference Championship Tournament after splitting a double-header with visiting Jacksonville State, taking the first game 6-3 before dropping the second game 2-1 in 10 innings.
In the first game, Mike Perconte (6-6, 5-3 OVC) went the distance for the 'Breds, allowing three runs on 10 hits, striking out seven and walking three. He retired 14 of the last 17 batters he faced.
Jacksonville State (30-25, 17-9 OVC) scored a run in the first inning, but MSU (18-32, 12-12 OVC) responded in the bottom of the second. Senior center fielder Tyler Pittman led off with a single, then sophomore third baseman Tyler Owen singled him to second. Sophomore catcher Daniel Miller sacrificed them ahead one base, then senior right fielder Jamie Leidolf walked to load the bases. Sophomore shortstop Justin Yount grounded out, allowing Pittman to score and tie the game at 1-1.
In the fourth inning, Murray State took the lead when Pittman led off with a single, then stole second. Leidolf hit a two-out single, going to second on the throw home, and Pittman scored. Yount singled in Leidolf to give the 'Breds a 3-1 lead.
JSU tacked on two runs in the fifth inning, but in the bottom of the fifth, MSU took the lead for good. Senior left fielder Austin Swain led off by being hit by a pitch, then senior second baseman Seth Hudson hit a bunt single. Senior first baseman James Akin hit a bunt single to load the bases, then the runners all advanced on a passed ball, with Swain scoring. Hudson scored on a sacrifice fly by senior designated hitter Jason Payton to give Murray State a 5-3 lead.
The 'Breds added some insurance in the seventh inning when Hudson hit a one-out single, then Akin tripled him home to close out the scoring at 6-3.
Murray State was led by Akin, who went 2-for-4 with a triple and a run batted in; Hudson, who went 2-for-4 with two runs scored; and Pittman, who went 2-for-4 with two runs. Yount had two RBIs for the 'Breds, while Swain claimed a double. Defensively, Miller had eight putouts, while Owen had four assists.
For Jacksonville State, Clay Whittemore went 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Kyle McCreary went 2-for-4 with a run. Defensively, first baseman Eric Beck had 10 putouts, while shortstop Josh Sanders had eight assists.
On the mound for the Gamecocks, Tony Drinkard (6-3, 3-3 OVC) took the loss, allowing six runs (five earned) on 10 hits, striking out four and walking one in seven innings. Brett Harris came on in the eighth, allowing one walk in one inning.
The second game of the day was a fantastic pitchers' duel, with Murray State's Anthony Stacy (2-1, 1-1 OVC) allowed only two runs on eight hits, striking out four and walking three in 9-1/3 innings as the starter. He retired 14 of 15 batters he faced between the fifth and ninth innings. His 9-1/3 innings was an OVC season-high until opposing pitcher Donovan Hand had two outs in the 10th inning.
Hand (7-7, 6-3 OVC) was masterful himself, allowing one unearned run on three hits, striking out eight and walking none in the 10-inning complete game, as MSU fell 2-1 in 10 innings. Hand retired the last 19 batters he faced.
The Gamecocks again scored first, plating a run in the second inning, but Murray State got on the scoreboard in the fourth inning. Akin hit a one-out single, then stole second base and went to third on a throwing error. Pittman hit a two-out single, scoring Akin and knotting the game up at 1-1.
In the 10th inning, JSU's McCreary led off with a double, went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Sanders, then scored on single by Bert Smith.
Pittman led the 'Breds by going 2-for-4 with his 55th career double, setting a new MSU career doubles record. Defensively, Akin had eight putouts, while Yount had a game-high eight assists.
For JSU, McCreary went 3-for-4 with a double and a run, while Andrew Edge went 2-for-4 with a run. Defensively, first baseman Jay Harrington had 12 putouts, while Sanders and second baseman Smith each had four assists.
Brad Rowland closed out the game for Murray State, retiring the two batters he faced.
"I was proud of both of our pitchers," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "I'm also proud of our team, the way they came into a pressure situation and won that first game and almost won the second game.
"Mike Perconte was very, very good today; he really pitched well. He has really gotten better down the stretch. Anthony Stacy came in against one of the best pitchers in the OVC and really matched him pitch-for-pitch."
The teams will play the rubber game of the series on Saturday at 1 p.m. at MSU's Reagan Field. Prior to the game, the 'Breds will honor their eight seniors in their final home game for the Navy and Gold.
