Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Lipscomb
Early Scoring Gives 'Breds 11-6 Win
3/26/2008 5:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds scored eight runs in the first two innings, and the top four batters in the lineup combined for a 9-for-13 (.692) day as MSU avenged last night's 4-3 loss with its own 11-6 win at Reagan Field.
Lipscomb opened the game with a three-run home run from Caleb Joseph, but Murray State (8-9) responded in the bottom of the first. Elliot Frey was hit by a pitch, then went to second on a wild pitch. Wes Cunningham drew a one-out walk, then Taylor Thieke singled to load the bases. All three runners advanced on a wild pitch, scoring Frey, then Tyler Owen reached on a fielding error, scoring Cunningham and moving Thieke to third. Chris Craycraft hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Thieke and allowing Owen to move to second when the throw to first went past the bag. Cory Hodskins then stepped in and sent his first pitch over the left-field wall for his first home run of the season, giving Murray State a 5-3 lead.
The 'Breds continued to score in the second inning, as Matt Phillips was hit by a pitch and Kyle Tiernan drew a walk. Frey then greeted new Bisons pitcher Jerry Young with a bunt single to load the bases. Cunningham singled up the middle, scoring Phillips and Tiernan and moving Frey to third, and Frey scored on a double play, giving MSU an 8-3 lead.
Matt McGaha came on to pitch for the 'Breds in the third inning in place of starter Jake Donze and held Lipscomb (12-10) to two runs over the next four innings.
In the Murray State seventh inning, Phillips led off with a walk, then Tiernan doubled him to third. Frey singled in Phillips and took second on the throw, while Tiernan went to third. Cunningham fouled out to deep left field, allowing Tiernan to score, and moved Frey to third, and Frey scored on a balk, giving MSU an 11-5 lead. The Bisons were able to score in the ninth on a solo shot from Joseph to close the scoring at 11-6.
"Our guys were determined to come out and give a good showing on their home field," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "In the series at Jacksonville State, we got it handed to us offensively, so our hitters renewed their commitment to getting better. Over the last week or so, I've seen improvements at the plate, mechanical improvements. I think that, as they get more at-bats, they will get better and better at the plate."
Murray State was led by Cunningham, who went 3-for-3 with a run and three runs batted in. Tiernan went 2-for-2 with a double and two runs, while Frey had two hits with three runs and an RBI and Thieke had two hits and a run. Hodskins had a home run with two RBIs, while Phillips scored twice for the 'Breds. On defense, catcher Evan Pettit had seven putouts, while shortstop Tiernan had a game-high four assists.
For Lipscomb, Joseph went 4-for-5 with two home runs, three runs scored and four RBIs. Ben Williams had three hits for the Bisons. On defense, first baseman Ryan Wilkins had eight putouts, while second baseman Clay Lehning had three assists.
On the mound, McGaha (1-0) got the win in relief, allowing two runs on five hits, striking out one and walking none in four innings. Anthony Stacy got his first save of the season, allowing one run on two hits, striking out four and walking one in three innings. Donze started the game, allowing three runs on four hits, striking out two and walking one in two innings.
For Lipscomb, starter Young (0-1) took the loss, allowing seven runs (four earned) on two hits, walking there in just over an inning. Taylor Merry entered in the second inning, allowing one run on six hits, striking out four and walking one in four innings. Paul Piennette pitched the sixth inning, allowing no runs on two hits, striking out two and walking one in one inning, while Charles Williams pitched the seventh inning, allowing three runs on two hits, walking one in one inning, and Kyle Tognazzini pitched the eighth, striking out one in one inning.
Murray State continues this homestand by hosting Samford this weekend in Ohio Valley Conference play. The teams will play a double-header on Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m., and a game on Sunday at 1 p.m.
