Murray State University Athletics
Breds Host Colonels in OVC Action
5/7/2010 2:04:00 PM | Baseball
GAMES 43-45
MURRAY STATE vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
May 8-9, 2010 • Murray, Ky.
First Pitch
Saturday: 1 p.m.; Sunday: 1 p.m.
Series History: EKU leads 51-49
Last Meeting: MUR 8, EKU 1 (2009)
Stadium: Reagan Field (Capacity: 800)
Dimensions: 330 (LF), 400 (CF), 330 (RF)
Live Stats: www.goracers.com
MURRAY STATE THOROUGHBREDS
Overall Record: 21-21
Conference Record: 8-5
Last 5/Last 10: 2-3/3-7
Streak: Win 2
Website: www.GoRacers.com
Head Coach: Rob McDonald
Career Record: 154-213-1 (7th year)
Record at MSU: 154-213-1 (7th year)
EASTERN KENTUCKY COLONELS
Overall Record: 22-19
Conference Record: 8-7
Last 5/Last 10: 4-1/5-5
Streak: Win 3
Website: www.ekusports.com
Head Coach: Jason Stein
Career Record: 49-43 (2nd year)
Record at EKU: 49-43 (2nd year)
FIRST PITCH
The Murray State baseball team returns to the friendly confines of Johnny Reagan Field as the Breds play host to Eastern Kentucky on May 8-9. The series is set to get underway with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday, and conclude with a 1 p.m. first pitch Sunday.
INSIDE THE SERIES
The Breds and Colonels have met 100 times prior on the diamond with EKU holding a slim 51-49 advantage in the series. MSU won the series each of the last two seasons, with both being played in Richmond. The teams last met in Murray in 2007, with the Breds sweeping a doubleheader.
Probable Pitching Matchups
SATURDAY, MAY 8
Pitcher W-L ERA K/BB
Chris Craycraft (R) 5-3 4.81 50/26
Paul Duncan (L) 4-2 6.62 25/15
SATURDAY, MAY 8
Pitcher W-L ERA K/BB
Jake Donze (L) 5-5 6.22 55/42
Greg Terry (L) 3-2 5.40 22/9
SUNDAY, MAY 9
Pitcher W-L ERA K/BB
Alex Love (R) 5-0 5.91 25/19
Stephen Hefler (R) 3-3 8.03 25/19
Cunningham Named OVC HOTW
After homering in all three games last week, Wes Cuningham was a unanimous selection as the OVC Hitter of the Week. He finished the week by going 5-for-12 with three home runs and nine RBIs.
New Single Season Home Run King
There is a new single-season home run king at Murray State after senior Wes Cunningham hit his 17th home run of the season against Southeast Missouri on May 2. The long ball breaks the record of 16 held by Daniel Hill (2009), Gary Blaine (1984) and Clay Boone (1981).
Tiernan Provides Extra-Inning Power
Senior Kyle Tiernan produced on of the biggest hits of his career in the series opener against SEMO as he belted a two-run home run to right field to break a 3-3 tie and give the Breds a 5-3 extra-inning victory. The homer was the second of the season and just the fifth of his career.
Cunningham vs. The SEC
Senior Wes Cunningham has enjoyed some success against the SEC this season. In two games, Cunningham is 4-for-10 with a pair of home runs and eight RBIs.
Another Grand Slam
The Breds have belted three grand slams in 2010, marking the first time since 2001 that MSU has hit three grand slams in a season. Wes Cunningham has hit two of the three, making him the only Bred in over a decade to have multiple grand slams in a season. Bryan Propst has the other.
High Scoring Innings
The Breds have had some high-scoring innings in 2010 as they have scored at least four runs in 26 innings this season. MSU has scored a season-high seven runs in five separate innings, including scoring seven in the 7th at #14 Ole Miss.
Tight OVC Race
The race for the 2010 Ohio Valley Conference Championship is starting to tighten up as 4.5 games separate first and last place, with only 2.5 games separating first place and missing the OVC Tournament.
Scouting Eastern Kentucky
The Colonels enter the weekend series with an overall record of 22-19 and an 8-7 mark in the Ohio Valley Conference.
EKU has won three-straight games, including a walk-off 11-10 victory over Ohio on Wednesday.
The Colonels currently sit in fifth place in the OVC standings, but are just 1.5 games back from league-leading SEMO.
EKU is hitting 318 as a team with 59 home runs and 101 doubles. Jayson Langfels leads the team with 14 home runs, and is followed closely by Athony Ottrando (13) and Ryan Faidley (10).
The Colonels have also been hit by 68 pitches. Ottrando has been hit a team-high 18 times, while Langfels has been plunked 14 times.
EKU's pitching staff owns an 8.02 team ERA. Paul Duncan leads the team with four wins, while Ryne Purcell has eight saves.
On Deck
The Breds take a week off for finals before returning to action May 8-9 against Eastern Kentucky at Reagan Field.
