Murray State Wins Wild One in Game 2

Saturday, April 12

Murray, Ky.

4 p.m.

Murray State

Eastern Illinois

4/12/2008 5:00:00 AM | Baseball

Murray State scored three runs on three wild pitches with the bases load in the bottom of the third inning to take their first lead of the series and go on to defeat Eastern Illinois 5-3 in the second game of a doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Reagan Field.

The Panthers (15-15, 7-4 OVC) got on the board in the first inning Curt Restko blooped a single to center and scored on a double to left center by Jordan Tokarz.

The 'Breds (12-16, 3-7 OVC) got the run back in the home-half of the inning as Zach Noonan started things by tucking a ball inside the line in right field. After a groundout and a walk to Wes Cunningham put runners on the corners, a balk was called allowing Noonan to score.

MSU took its first lead of the series in the third as Noonan started things with a tripe to left center and scored on Blake Helm's single through the right side. After two outs, Chris Craycraft and Kyle Tiernan drew back-to-back walks to load the bases and end the day for EIU starter Tristan Facer. Reliever Mike Recchia ran into more trouble as he allowed all three runs to score on three wild pitches.

EIU got one run back in the fifth as Ryan Lindquist tripled to left center and scored on two-out single up the middle by Restko.

The Panthers threatened again in the seventh as a one-out strikeout victim reached on a throwing error and came around to score on a double by Tokarz. With the bases loaded and two outs, Helm tracked down a ball in the gap in right center to end the game.

Daniel Calhoun (2-2) picked up the complete-game victory as he allowed three runs on eight hits over the seven innings. Facer (2-2) took the loss after giving up five runs on three hits and four walks in 2.2 innings.

The two teams will play the final game of the series tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m.