Murray State University Athletics
?Breds Rally Twice, Hang On for 13-11 Victory Over Bison
3/8/2009 6:00:00 AM | Baseball
Daniel Miller and Elliot Frey delivered back-to-back RBI singles in the bottom of the seventh inning to cap off a three-run frame as Murray State came back for the second time in the game to defeat North Dakota State, 13-11, Sunday afternoon in the final game of a four-game series at Reagan Field.
Tyler Owen started the inning with a single to center field. After a sacrifice and a passed ball, Owen scored when Bryan Propst took ball four and the ball went back to the screen. A single from Jonathan Craycraft and another wild pitch set up the Miller and Frey to put the ?Breds up for good.
"I am real proud of the way we competed this weekend," said head coach Rob McDonald. "It was a tough weekend and North Dakota State is a quality opponent."
The Bison (1-6) took advantage of a two-base throwing error in the first inning as Eric Nutzhorn followed with an RBI double down the left-field line.
NDSU added a run in the second as Zach Heidmann blooped a double into left center and scored on Max Casper's single to center with two outs.
The Bison continued to score in the third as they got a sacrifice fly Chad Berg and a two-run home run from Zach Heidmann.
The ?Breds (9-3) got things going in the bottom of the inning as Miller walked, Frey singled and Kyle Tiernan beat out a bunt single to load the bases. Wes Cunningham plated the first run with a sacrifice fly to center field and Daniel Hill and Tyler Owen followed with back-to-back RBI singles.
MSU kept the momentum for the fourth inning as Craycraft walked and Miller singled through the left side. With two outs, Cunningham delivered a two-run double into the gap in right center and Hill followed with a no-doubt shot to left, his fifth of the week and seventh of the season.
The ?Breds used the long ball again in the fifth as Bryan Propst delivered a solo home run to left center.
The Bison regained the lead in the seventh as Kyle Harrison delivered an RBI double down the left-field line and Nutzhorn added a three-run home run to left center.
MSU added to its lead in the eighth as Jason Laws singled to left center with two outs and Propst followed by reaching on an error. Craycraft followed by plating both runners with a double into the corner in left field.
The Bison put together a serious threat in the top of the ninth as three-straight doubles trimmed the deficit to two runs. With two on and nobody out, freshman Bradley Cobb made his collegiate debut on the mound and promptly retired the next three hitters to end the threat and the game.
"It was nice to see Bradley step in and pitch with confidence in his first collegiate appearance," said McDonald. "He got a big save for us when we needed it."
Brad Rowland (1-0) picked up the victory in relief after allowing three runs on three hits in 1.1 innings. Ben Bruggeman (0-1) took the loss after giving up one run after walking the only batter he faced. Cobb (1) picked up the save after retiring all three hitters he faced.
Craycraft led a 15-hit attack by going 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and two runs scored. Hill, Miller and Frey each added two hits, while Cunningham and Hill each drove in three.
The ?Breds return to the diamond Wednesday afternoon as they take on Mississippi Valley State. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. at Reagan Field.
