Murray State
Bowling Green State
'Breds Split Twinbill With Bowling Green State
3/16/2008 5:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds closed out their five-game homestand by splitting a Sunday double-header with Bowling Green State, winning the first game 6-2, but falling in the second game, 7-6 in eight innings. The teams scheduled two seven-inning games for today.
"We played well in the first game," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "Chris Craycraft pitched very well, and we played well offensively and defensively. The second game was a good college game. We made an error on a bunt play in the fourth inning that became the turning point of the game."
In the first game of the day, Bowling Green State (7-7) scored a run in the fourth inning and one in the fifth to take an early 2-0 lead, but the 'Breds (6-6) got things going in the bottom half of the fifth.
MSU opened the inning with four straight singles. Zach Noonan led off with a single to center, followed by Blake Helm's single to right field. Elliot Frey then singled in Noonan, moving Helm to third base, then Kyle Tiernan singled in Helm and Frey to give MSU a 3-2 lead. Wes Cunningham reached on a fielder's error, moving Tiernan to second, then Cory Hodskins sacrifice those runners up a base. Matt Hon was intentionally walked to load the bases, and Andrew Cella grounded out, scoring Tiernan. Daniel Miller reached on a fielding error, scoring Cunningham, then Noonan, in his second at-bat of the inning, singled in Hon for the final score of the game, giving MSU a 6-2 win.
The 'Breds were led by Frey, Tiernan and Noonan, who each had two hits. Tiernan had two runs batted in for Murray State. On defense, first baseman Cella had five putouts, while second baseman Hodskins had a game-high five assists.
For Bowling Green State, Ryan Shay went 2-for-2, while Mark Galvin also had two hits, including a triple. Brian Hangbers had a double for the Falcons. On defense, catcher Andrew Foster had seven putouts, while shortstop Shay and first baseman Frank Berry each had two assists.
Chris Craycraft (2-0) went the distance for Murray State, allowing two runs on six hits, striking out two and walking two in seven innings.
Kevin Leady (1-1) took the loss as BGSU's starter, allowing five runs (three earned) on eight hits, striking out five and walking two in four-plus innings. Charles Wooten came on in the fifth, allowing one unearned run on one hit, striking out two and walking one in two innings.
In the second game, Murray State took a 5-3 lead into the seventh inning, but the Falcons plated two runs in the seventh inning to force extras, then scored two in the eighth to take a 7-5 lead. The 'Breds were able to score a run in the bottom of the eighth, but left the bases loaded, falling 7-6 in eight innings.
Murray State opened the scoring in the second inning when Craycraft led off with a triple. Taylor Thieke then singled him in, and Owen had a two-out single, moving Thieke to second. Noonan singled in Thieke to give MSU a 2-0 lead.
Bowling Green State scored three unearned runs in the fourth inning to take a 3-2 lead, bolstered by a bad throw on a bunt play by MSU starter Daniel Calhoun, but Murray State responded in the bottom of the fourth, as Hodskins hit a two-out single, then Owen drew a walk. Noonan then doubled in Hodskins and Owen to reclaim the lead at 4-3.
In the sixth inning, Murray State added an insurance run when Evan Pettit led off with a walk. Matt Scheer pinch-ran for him and stole second. Owen drove him home with a double, giving the 'Breds a 5-3 lead.
In the top of the seventh, Foster led off and was hit by a pitch, but was put out on the next play, when MSU right fielder Noonan missed on a diving attempt at a fly ball by Derek Spencer, but had the prescience to pick the ball up and force Foster out at second. Berry then doubled Spencer to third, and Spencer scored on a wild pitch, closing the gap to 5-4, with Berry going to third. Logan Meisler singled in Berry to tie the game at 5-5 and force extra innings.
In the top of the eighth, Bowling Green State scored two more runs to take a 7-5 lead, but the 'Breds came back to the dugout ready to make noise. Wes Cunningham hit a pinch-hit double, then Brooks Thornton hit a pinch-hit single, scoring Cunningham and moving MSU to within 7-6. Owen singled, moving Thornton to second, and Blake Helm hit a two-out single to load the bases. Kyle Tiernan stepped up and hit the ball towards the middle, but grounded out to second to end the game.
Murray State was led by Owen, who went 3-for-3 with a double, a run and an RBI. Since opening the season 0-for-25, he is 4-for-4 with two doubles. Helm and Noonan each had two hits, with Noonan getting a double and driving in three runs. Craycraft picked up a triple for MSU. On defense, first baseman Thieke had seven putouts, while second baseman Hodskins had two assists.
For Bowling Green State, Shay had three hits, while Berry, Baird and T.J. Blanton each had two. Berry and Baird each doubled for the Falcons. On defense, first baseman Berry had eight putouts, while third baseman Spencer and second baseman Meisler each had three assists.
On the mound, Mike Perconte (0-3) took the loss in relief, allowing two runs on four hits, striking out two and walking one in 1-2/3 innings. Calhoun started for the 'Breds, allowing five runs (two earned) on eight hits, striking out four and walking two in 6-1/3 innings.
For Bowling Green State, Dusty Hawk (1-1) got the win in relief, allowing one run on three hits, striking out five and walking one in 3-1/3 innings. Brett Browning got his first save of the season, retiring the one batter he faced in the eighth inning. Brian Hangbers started for the Falcons, allowing four runs on six hits, striking out three and walking two in 3-2/3 innings, while Charles Wooten started the eighth inning, allowing one run on four hits, striking out one in two-thirds of an inning.
Murray State now opens a five-game road swing, beginning Tuesday at Southern Illinois. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. The 'Breds will open Ohio Valley Conference play this weekend at Jacksonville State. The teams will play a Friday double-header at 1 p.m. and a Saturday single game at 1 p.m.
