'Breds Upset Bid of Wildcats Ends in Extra Innings

Monday, May 12

Paducah, Ky.

6:00 p.m.

Murray State

Kentucky

5/12/2008 5:00:00 AM | Baseball

A misplayed fly ball with one out in the top of the ninth inning led to the winning run as Murray State's upset attempt of No. 20 Kentucky fell just short as the Wildcats escaped Brooks Stadium with a 4-3 10-inning victory in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 1,651.

The Wildcats (39-14) started the winning rally when Collin Cowgill hit a sharp single off the leg of 'Breds reliever Anthony Stacy. Brian Spear followed by hitting a towering fly ball to right field that was overrun by the right fielder, putting runners on the corners. Stacy was able to get the next guy on strikes before Chris Wade singled through the hole at short to score the unearned run.

The 'Breds (20-27) got on the scoreboard in the second inning as Tyler Owen drew a leadoff walk and went to third as Andrew Cella sliced a single into the gap in left center. Elliot Frey drove in the runner from third with a fielder's choice groundout into the hole at short.

The Wildcats got the equalizer in the top of the fourth as Collin Cowgill delivered his 18th home run of the season over the wall in left field for a solo shot.

MSU made the Wildcats pay for a leadoff walk as Matt Hon drew the leadoff base on balls and went to second on a bunt off the bat of Daniel Miller. Matt Scheer moved the runner with a groundout to the right side before Kyle Tiernan ripped the first pitch he saw back up the middle for an RBI base hit.

UK looked like they would tie the game in the top of the eighth as the first two batters reached on base hits. Stacy was able to work out of the jam as he fanned Cowgill and then got Brian Spear to hit into the inning-ending 6-4-3 double play.

The 'Breds added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth as Scheer drew a leadoff walk and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Tiernan. With two outs, Wes Cunningham beat out a chopper to third and Scheer hustled all the way from second and slid head-first into the plate just ahead of the tag.

The Cats were able to tie the score in the top of the ninth as they put two on with two outs before Keenan Wiley delivered a two-run double into the gap in left center.

Scott Green (6-3) picked up the victory as he fanned all six hitters he faced and topped out at 96mph on the radar gun. Stacy (1-5) took the loss after giving up three runs, two earned, on six hits and five strikeouts over 3.1 innings.

Forgotten in the loss was the effort of MSU starter Marc Harmon. He tossed 6.2 innings and allowed just one run on two hits, with a career-high six strikeouts.

The 'Breds return to the diamond tomorrow afternoon as they play host Arkansas State. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. at Johnny Reagan Field.