Murray State
Memphis
'Breds Do It Again In 9-8 Win At Memphis
2/27/2008 6:00:00 AM | Baseball
For the second straight game, late-inning pitching held the opposition for Murray State to allow the Thoroughbreds to score late-inning runs to win the game. Today, it was a two-run ninth that gave MSU a 9-8 win at Memphis.
The game was a seesaw battle, as Murray State (2-2) opened the scoring with four runs in the second inning. Cory Hodskins led off with a walk, then Chris Craycraft tripled him in. Kyle Tiernan struck out, but reached base on a passed ball, scoring Craycraft. Daniel Miller hit a one-out single, moving Tiernan to third, and a passed ball moved Miller to second and scored Tiernan. Miller went to third on another passed ball and scored on a groundout to give the 'Breds a 4-0 lead.
Memphis (2-3) plated two runs in the bottom half of the inning, but MSU answered in kind in the top of the third. Hodskins drew a one-out walk, then made it to second on a stolen-base attempt, saved by a fielding error on the putout attempt. Taylor Thieke doubled him in, then scored on a single by Tiernan to give the 'Breds a 6-2 lead.
The Tigers scored a run in the bottom of the fourth inning, but Murray State again responded in the top of the fifth. Brooks Thornton led off with a triple, then scored on a groundout to give MSU a 7-3 lead.
Memphis scored two runs in the sixth inning, but it could have been more if not for a strong defensive play by the 'Breds. Chad Zurcher singled through the left side, and Bobby Graham tried to score from second, but MSU left fielder Elliot Frey threw him out at the plate for the final out of the inning. However, Memphis then took the lead in the seventh when they plated three runs to take an 8-7 lead.
In the top of the ninth, Elliot Frey led off with a single, then Blake Helm singled him to second. Both runners advanced on a groundout, then Tyler Owen struck out swinging, but was able to get to second on a wild pitch, scoring Frey. Helm scored on a throwing error during the play for the eventual game-winning run.
Tiernan went 3-for-4 to lead Murray State at the plate, scoring one run and driving in a run. Thieke went 2-for-5 with a double, a run and a run batted in, while Helm went 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI. Hodskins scored two runs for the 'Breds, while Thornton and Craycraft each had triples. On defense, first baseman Thieke had a game-high 11 putouts, while shortstop Tiernan had a co-game-high five assists.
For Memphis, Brett Bowen went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run, three runs and three RBIs. Cole Shelton went 2-for-4 with two runs, while Trey Wiedman went 2-for-2 and Chad Zurcher went 2-for-4. Bobby Graham had three RBIs for the Tigers. On defense, catcher Daniel Kaufmann had a team-high 10 putouts, while shortstop Zurcher had five assists.
On the mound, Drew Leeper (1-0) earned the win for Murray State, allowing no runs on one hit, striking out one and walking one in 1-1/3 innings. Jake Donze picked up his first save of the season, pitching the ninth inning, allowing no runs on one hit and striking out one. Daniel Calhoun pitched well in the start, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits, striking out four and walking one in six innings, while Matt McGaha came on in the seventh, allowing three runs on two hits, walking two in two-thirds of an inning.
For Memphis, Will Hudgens (0-1) took the loss in relief, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits, striking out one and walking none in one inning. Ryan Holland got the start for the Tigers, allowing six runs (two earned) on four hits, striking out eight and walking three in four innings. Brach Davis came on in the fifth, allowing one run on four hits, striking out three and walking none in 2-2/3 innings, while Mark Jobe entered in the seventh inning, facing one batter and getting him out. Matt Yokley finished the ninth inning for Hudgens, striking out two and walking one in one inning.
Murray State heads south this weekend, playing a three-game, three-day series at Nicholls State in Thibodeaux, La. The series begins Friday at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Saturday game at 3 p.m. and a Sunday game at 1 p.m.
