Big Innings Propel Billikens to Victory

Saturday, March 13

Murray, Ky.

1 p.m.

Murray State

Saint Louis

3/13/2010 10:00:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Saint Louis pushed across nine runs in the third inning and that proved to be too much as the Billikens defeated Murray State, 18-7, Saturday afternoon at Reagan Field.

The Breds (5-8) got on the board in the second as Daniel Hill hit a leadoff double to left field. Jonathan Craycraft followed with a single to right center and Brandon Elliott drove in Hill with a single through the left side.

The Billikens (8-7) responded in a major way in the third inning as they took advantage of three walks, three wild pitches and a throwing error to push across eight runs in the inning. Jon Myers got the scoring started with a two-run double to right field. After a run scored on a wild pitch, Mike Levine cleared the bases with a double down the left-field line. A throwing error allowed another run to score before Zach Miller delivered an RBI single through the right side. Danny Brock closed out the inning with a bloop single to center field.

MSU got one run back in the home-half of the inning as Wes Cunningham ripped a triple into the right field corner and scored on a wild pitch.

SLU added a run in the fourth on a solo home run down the left-field line from Myers.

The Breds answered back with a solo shot of their own in the bottom of the fourth as Craycraft hit his first career home to left center.

MSU continued to chip away in the fifth as Cunningham belted a no-doubt shot to right to leadoff the inning, his fifth of the season.

The long balls continued in the sixth as Brock started the inning with a solo shot to left center. After a hit from Ben Braaten, Myers delivered an RBI double to right center.

SLU batted around for the second time in the game as they pushed across six runs in the inning.

MSU got two runs in the eighth as Tyler Monkman walked and Craycraft followed with a double to right center. Elliott drove in a run with a groundout to short and Bo Akers doubled down the left-field line to score another run.

The Breds added a run in the ninth as Jason Laws drew a walk and went to second on Colton Moore's single to right field. Monkman drove in Laws with a single through the left side.

Bryant Cotton (3-1) picked up the victory after allowing four runs on nine hits and five strikeouts over six innings. Jake Donze (1-2) took the loss after allowing nine runs on five hits, five walks and five strikeouts over 2.2 innings.

Craycraft led the offense with three hits, while Frey, Cunningham, Moore and Elliott each collected two.

The Breds and Billikens close out the three-game series tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m.