Balk Leads to Extra-Inning Loss

Wednesday, April 1

Paducah, Ky.

6:30 p.m.

Murray State

Southern Illinois

4/1/2009 5:00:00 AM | Baseball

A balk with runners on the corners and two outs in the top of the 10th inning scored the game winning run as Southern Illinois defeated Murray State 9-1 Wednesday evening at Brooks Stadium.

The balk was the downfall of the inning as three errors and another balk helped to push across seven unearned runs in the inning.

The ?Breds (18-9) had their chance to win the game in the bottom of the ninth as Zach Noonan singled to center and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Wes Cunningham. After an intentional walk to Daniel Hill and a free pass to Tyler Owen loaded the bases, Bryan Propst went down swinging and Jonathan Craycraft lined out to first to end the inning.

The ?Breds got on the board in the first inning as Noonan hit an opposite-field double off the base of the wall in right field. After a balk moved him to third, Cunningham extended his hit streak to 19 games with an RBI single to left field.

The Salukis (12-16) tied the game in the third as John Brennan singled up the middle and scored on Chris Murphy's double to deep center field.

Anthony Stacy (1-2) took the loss after allowing two runs, one earned on one hit and three walks in 2.2 innings. Daniel Etieme (3-1) picked up the victory by allowing one hit in one inning.

The ?Breds return to the diamond Saturday as they travel for an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader against Eastern Illinois. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.