'Breds Drop Back-and-Forth Affair

Sunday, April 6

Cape Girardeau, Mo.

1:00 p.m.

Murray State

Southeast Missouri

4/6/2008 5:00:00 AM | Baseball

Southeast Missouri State outfielder Tyrell Cummings belted three home runs and drove in five runs as the Redhawks won a back-and-forth 9-8 decision over Murray State in the rubber game of a three-game series Sunday afternoon at Capaha Field.

SEMO (13-10, 5-2 OVC) jumped out in the first inning as they pushed across four runs on three extra-base hits. Matt Wagner drove in the first run with a double into the gap in left center and Cummings followed with a three-run blast to same spot in left center.

The Redhawks added another run in the fourth as Trent Moses singled to start the inning and scored on Nick Harris' single to left center with two outs.

MSU (11-13, 2-6 OVC) got on the board in the fifth inning as Tyler Owen delivered a one-out double off the base of the wall in left. With two outs, Zach Noonan plated the runner with an opposite-field double just inside the right-field line.

The 'Breds offense was back at it in the sixth inning as they took advantage of a leadoff walk to push across five runs. Elliot Frey drew the walk and went to third on a single through the right side off the bat of Wes Cunningham. Brooks Thornton drove in a run with a single up the middle before Taylor Thieke put down a bunt, but everybody was safe as the throw to third was high. Kyle Tiernan followed with an RBI hit-by-pitch and Owen tied the game with a two-run double into the gap in right center. Noonan would tie the game with a fielder's choice to third.

The lead did not last long as Cummings started the home-half of the inning by depositing a hanging slider over the left-field wall for his second long ball of the day. The Redhawks would put two runners on with two outs before Harris plated both runners with a double into the corner in left field.

The 'Breds again had an answer as they tied the game in the top of the eighth. Thieke started the rally by being hit by a pitch. With one out, Owen singled to right and Evan Pettit drove in Thieke with a single through the right side. Noonan would follow with an RBI base hit through the left side.

Cummings again had the answer as he started the eighth with his third long ball of the game.

Todd Strahlendorf (2-1) picked up the victory after allowing just one hit and striking out three in 1.2 innings of work. Brad Rowland (0-2) took the loss after giving up one run on one hit over 1.2 innings.

Owen led the 'Breds offense with with three hits and two RBIs. Noonan added a pair of hits and drove in three. Frey also collected a pair of hits.

The 'Breds return to the diamond tomorrow afternoon as they travel to take on Southern Illinois. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.