Perconte's Second-Straight Gem Gives 'Breds 5-1 Victory

Saturday, May 10

Murray, Ky.

1 p.m.

Murray State

UT Martin

Perconte's Second-Straight Gem Gives 'Breds 5-1 Victory

5/10/2008 5:00:00 AM | Baseball

Murray State senior right hander Mike Perconte made his last appearance on the mound at Johnny Reagan Field a memorable one as he tossed his second-straight complete game as the Thoroughbreds handed UT Martin a 5-1 defeat in the first game of the three-game series Saturday afternoon.

The Isle, Ill. native allowed just one unearned run on five hits with six strikeouts and no walks in improving to 4-4 on the season. He has now allowed just one run and struck out 18 over his last two starts.

The Skyhawks (10-35, 5-15 OVC) took advantage of a 'Breds throwing error to push across an unearned run in the top of the first. Scott Gladstone started the game with a single inside the bag at third. The next hitter hit a routine two-hopper to short that was thrown away putting runners on the corners. Miles Hartsfield drove in the runner with a single to right field.

The 'Breds (18-26, 10-12 OVC) responded in the home-half of the first as Kyle Tiernan beat out an infield single and went to third on a single up the middle by Zach Noonan. With one out, Tyler Owen drove in the runner from third with a single to right field. Taylor Thieke drove in the second run of the inning on a fielder's choice and Cory Hodskins plated the third run with a single to left field.

MSU got back in the scoring column in the sixth as Hodskins walked before being retired on a fielder's choice. Matt Scheer was hit by a pitch to put two runners on before Tiernan plated a run with a single to right center. Noonan drove in the second run of the inning with a sacrifice fly to right field.

Eric Walker (2-9) took the loss after giving up four runs on six hits over five innings.

Tiernan and Noonan each collected two hits in the victory.

The two teams will play the second game of the doubleheader approximately 40 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.