Long Ball Sinks 'Breds in OVC Opener

Saturday, March 21

Murray, Ky.

1 p.m.

Murray State

Jacksonville State

3/21/2009 5:00:00 AM | Baseball

Jacksonville State hit two home runs in the top of the ninth inning to erase a three-run deficit and hand Murray State a 9-8 defeat in the Ohio Valley Conference opener for both teams Saturday afternoon at Reagan Field.

Steven Leach tied the game with a three-run shot down the line in right and Jake Welch followed with a solo home run to right field.

The Gamecocks (12-7, 1-0 OVC) found their groove in the top of the first inning as they strung together six-straight hits to start the game. JSU got back-to-back RBI base hits from Leach and Welch before Kyle Bluestein delivered a three-run home run to left center.

The 'Breds (13-6, 0-1 OVC) answered back in the home-half of the inning as Kyle Tiernan started the inning with a single through the right side and scored on Zach Noonan's line-drive home run down the left-field line. Wes Cunningham singled up the middle and later scored with two outs on Jonathan Craycraft's single back through the middle.

MSU was able to tie the game in the second as base hits from Elliot Frey and Tiernan were followed by a Noonan walk to load the bases. Cunningham drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to center field and Jonathan Craycraft drove in his second run with a single through the right side.

The 'Breds gained their first lead of the game in the fifth as Jonathan Craycraft singled to right center and went to second on a one-out walk by Daniel Miller. Tiernan singled through the right side to load the bases before Noonan plated two runs with a single up the middle.

MSU pushed across an insurance run in the seventh as Bryan Propst started the inning with a double to left center. Frey was hit by a pitch and Noonan plated his fifth run of the game by singling up the middle with two outs to score Propst.

Jordan Beistline (2-1) picked up the victory in relief after allowing one run on two hits and four strikeouts over three innings. Lucas Allen (0-3) took the loss after surrendering four runs on three hits in one-third of an inning. Bill Henke pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his fourth save of the season.

Chris Craycraft received a no decision after throwing eight strong innings. After giving up five runs in the first, Craycraft allowed just four hits and no runs over the next seven innings.

Noonan paced the offensive attack by going 3-for-4 with five RBIs. Tiernan and Jonathan Craycraft each added three hits.

The two teams will play the second game of the doubleheader 30 minutes after the completion of the first game.