'Breds Lose Lead Late in 8-5 Loss To Eagles

Saturday, April 26

Murray, Ky.

1 p.m.

Murray State

Morehead State

4/26/2008 5:00:00 AM | Baseball

Morehead State scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning to erase a two-run deficit and hand Murray State a 8-5 decision Saturday afternoon in the first game of a doubleheader at Johnny Reagan Field.

The Eagles (16-23, 6-10 OVC) came out first-pitch swinging in the first inning and took advantage of a 'Breds fielding blunder to push across a run in the top of the first. Eric Allen ripped the first pitch of the game for a base hit into right field and Drew Lee followed by lacing the next pitch into right center before the center fielder bobbled the ball, allowing the runner to score from first.

MOR added to its lead in the fourth as Lee singled to right field and stood on second on a bloop single to center from Michael Bottoms. Andrew Wertz drove in both runners as he ripped a double into the corner in right field.

The 'Breds (14-22, 5-10 OVC) found their stroke at the plate in the fourth as they sprung together four hits and pushed across three runs. Wes Cunningham started the rally by drawing a leadoff walk and stealing second. Tyler Owen drove in Cunningham with a single to left center. After a groundout to first advanced Owen to second, Blake Helm drove in Owen with a single up the middle. Daniel Miller singled through the right side before Elliot Frey drove in the third run with a single through the left side.

MSU continued to swing the bats in the fifth as Zach Noonan tripled into the gap in right center to start the inning and scored on an infield single off the bat of Cunningham. Owen followed with a single up the middle, advancing the runner to third and allowing him to score on a sacrifice fly to center field off the bat of Andrew Cella.

The Eagles took advantage of four walks in the top of the eighth to push across four runs. Lee started the scoring by chopping a ball over the head of the first baseman for an RBI double before Bottoms tied the game with a sacrifice fly before a bases loaded walk gave MOR the lead and Michael Fear plated the fourth run with the second sacrifice fly of the inning.

MOR added an insurance run in the ninth as a pair of walks preceded Bottoms' two-out RBI-single through the left side.

Clay Muntz (4-0) picked up the victory in relief as he gave up no runs on two hits over two innings. Quentin Morgan (5) earned the save by getting a strikeout and a double-play ball to end the game. Chris Craycraft (3-4) was saddled with the loss after giving up seven runs, six earned, on eight hits over 7.1 innings.

Cunningham paced the 'Breds offense by going 3-for-3 with a pair of walks. Owen and Miller each added a pair of hits.

The two teams will play the second game of the doubleheader approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the opener.