Murray State
Belmont
Cella Delivers Pinch-Hit Walk-Off Single in Game 1
4/2/2008 5:00:00 AM | Baseball
Andrew Cella delivered a walk-off pinch-hit single down the left-field line to score Brooks Thornton from third as Murray State defeated Belmont 4-3 in nine innings in the first game of a doubleheader Wednesday afternoon at Johnny Reagan Field.
Thornton started the inning with a single up the middle and went to second on Matt Scheer's sacrifice bunt. After a flyout to center advanced the runner to third, Cella stepped to the plate and delivered the game-winning hit
The Bruins (8-17) got on the board in the first inning as Packy Elkins drew a leadoff walk and scored on a fielding error by the left fielder following a single to left.
BU added a run in the third inning as Vinny Casha blooped a double into left field in front of a diving Elliot Frey. After advancing to third on a failed pickoff attempt by the catcher, Casha scored on Mark Noth's sacrifice fly in foul territory in right field.
The 'Breds (9-11) were able to tie the game in the fourth inning as Wes Cunningham delivered a bunt single and went to second on the throwing error by the pitcher. Taylor Thieke put runners on the corners with a single to right center before Thornton plated Cunningham with a single through the left side. After Matt Phillips advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt, Tyler Owen drove in a run with a grounder to short.
MSU took its first lead in the sixth inning as Thornton delivered an inside-the-park home run to left field.
The Bruins answered right back with one-out in the seventh as Derek Wiley delivered a solo shot to left.
Thornton finished the day by going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a pair of runs scored.
Matt McGaha (2-0) earned the victory as he pitched two perfect innings with two strikeouts. Ross Moffitt (0-1) took the loss after allowing one run on two hits in two-thirds of an inning.
