Cunningham Leads 'Breds to 7-3 Victory Over Eastern Kentucky

Saturday, April 19

Richmond, Ky.

3 p.m.

Murray State

Eastern Kentucky

Cunningham Leads 'Breds to 7-3 Victory Over Eastern Kentucky

4/19/2008 5:00:00 AM | Baseball

Murray State got it's second strong pitching outing of the day and Wes Cunningham drove in three runs as the Thoroughbreds completed the doubleheader sweep over Eastern Kentucky with a 7-3 victory in the seven-inning affair.

Daniel Calhoun (3-2) followed up Mike Perconte's complete-game shutout by tossing a complete game of his own. He allowed just three runs, two earned, on nine hits and seven strikeouts over the seven innings.

The 'Breds (14-18, 5-8 OVC) got on the board in the first inning as Zach Noonan reached on a fielding error and score on Cunningham's two-run opposite-field home run.

MSU took advantage of another fielding error by the Colonels third baseman in the second as Elliot Frey doubled into the gap in right center with two outs and the inning was kept alive when Blake Helm's grounder to third was mishandled. Kyle Tiernan made EKU pay for their mistake by delivering a run-producing single back through the box.

EKU (16-18-1, 7-7 OVC) got a run back in the home-half of the second as Dylan McMaine and Matt Davis collected back-to-back singles before Clint Seymour sacrificed both runners into scoring position. After an infield single loaded the bases, Tyler Barnett drove in a run with a groundout to short.

The Colonels pulled to within one run in the third as Anthony Ottrando doubled and went to third on a passed ball before scoring on a groundout to second off the bat of Tyler Rehmel.

The 'Breds got a run back in the fourth as Tyler Owen drew a one-out walk and went to third on a Frey single through the right side. Helm plated Owen with a fielder's choice.

MSU pushed its advantage to four in the top of the fifth as Cunningham started things with a base on balls and was followed by a single through the left side by Chris Craycraft. After a sacrifice bunt by Matt Hon advanced both runners, Owen plated the pair with a single to right field.

The 'Breds added an insurance run in the sixth as Kyle Tiernan walked with one out and stole second. Cunningham drove him in with a two-out base knock to left field.

EKU pushed across one run in their final at-bat as Aaron Barrows doubled to left center and came around to score on McMaine's single through the left side.

Patrick Cooper (1-3) took the loss for the Colonels as he gave up six runs, four earned, on six hits and six punchouts over five innings.

Cunningham paced the offense by collecting two hits and driving in three runs. Frey added two hits and Owen drove in a pair of runs.

The two teams close out the three-game series tomorrow afternoon at 12 p.m.