'Breds Fall in Series Finale to Colonels

Sunday, April 20

Richmond, Ky.

12 p.m.

Murray State

Eastern Kentucky

4/20/2008 5:00:00 AM | Baseball

Murray State's attempt at a series sweep over Eastern Kentucky fell short as the Thoroughbreds dropped a 7-4 decision Sunday afternoon at Hughes Field.

The Colonels (17-18-1, 8-7 OVC) got on the board immediately as Aaron Burrows led off the bottom of the first inning with a double down the left-field line and scored as the next batter had a bunt base hit and the ball was thrown away by the first baseman. The second run of the inning would score when Matt Davis tripled to center field.

The 'Breds (14-20, 5-9 OVC) got a run back in the third as Daniel Miller started the frame with a single to right field and score on Zach Noonan's two-out triple to right field.

EKU pushed two more runs across in the fifth as Anthony Ottrando delivered an RBI single to right and Dylan McMaine plated a run with a groundout.

The lead continued to grow in the sixth as Jayson Langfels delivered a two-run home run to right center before Davis deposited a 2-2 pitch over the left field wall in the seventh.

MSU was able to trim the deficit in the eighth as Tyler Owen singled to right center and score on Andrew Cella's single through the right side. Blake Helm would walk and Evan Pettit would be hit by a pitch to load the bases before Elliot Frey got an RBI the hard way by being hit by his 14th pitch of the season.

The 'Breds added another run in the ninth as Noonan and Wes Cunningham started the frame with base hits. Noonan would come around to score on a passed ball and then a wild pitch with two outs.

Chris Grider (3-2) earned the victory after allowing just one run on four hits over seven innings. He walked two and struckout eight. Chris Craycraft (3-3) dropped his second-straight decision as he gave up six runs on eight hits over 5.2 innings.

Noonan, Cunningham and Owen each collected two hits for MSU.

MSU returns to the diamond on April 22 as it travels to take on Mississippi at 6:30 p.m.