Early Runs Help Breds to 8-3 Victory Over Salukis

Wednesday, March 17

Murray, Ky.

2 p.m.

Murray State

Southern Illinois

3/17/2010 10:00:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

The Murray State offense pushed across seven runs in the first three innings and Jake Donze limited Southern Illinois to three runs over seven innings as the Breds won their third game in a row with an 8-3 victory over the Salukis Wednesday afternoon at Reagan Field.

The Salukis (5-11) got on the board in the first inning as they loaded the bases on a pair of singles and a walk. The damage was minimized as SIU got two runs on back-to-back fielder's choices off the bats of Tyler Bullock and Nick Johnson.

The Breds (8-8) responded in the home-half of the inning as Zach Noonan and Elliot Frey singled to start the inning. Wes Cunningham followed by lacing an RBI single to center. After a sacrifice bunt from Jason Laws, Daniel Hill drove in two runs with a single to center field.

MSU added to its lead in the second as Brandon Elliott singled up the middle, Noonan singled through the right side and Frey walked. Cunningham drove in his second run of the game as he beat out a chopper to third, before Laws drove in a run with a fielder's choice. Hill drove in the third run of the inning with a single through the left side.

The Breds added to the lead in the third as Noonan hit a solo home run to left, his first of the season.

SIU got a run back in the seventh Aaron Roberts reached on a fielding error, stole second and went to third on a wild pitch. Blake Pinnon drove in the run with a sacrifice fly to left field.

The Breds got the run back in the eighth as Noonan drew a leadoff walk and went to third on Cunningham's double down the left-field line. Laws drove in Noonan with a soft grounder to second.

Donze (2-2) earned the victory as he allowed three runs, two earned, on six hits and three strikeouts over seven innings. Cody Forsythe (0-2) took the loss after allowing seven runs, five earned, in one-plus inning.

Noonan paced the Breds by going 3-for-4 with a an RBI and four runs scored. Cunningham continued to swing a hot bat by going 3-for-5 with a double and two RBIs. Hill finished the day going 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

The Breds return to action Friday afternoon as they welcome Mid-Continent for the start of a three-game series. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. at Reagan Field.