Baseball Heads to Eastern Kentucky

Saturday, May 7

Richmond, Ky.

3 p.m.

Murray State

Eastern Kentucky

Photo by: Samantha Mohr

5/6/2011 10:48:14 AM | Baseball

GAME NOTES

GAMES 43-45

MURRAY STATE vs. EASTERN KENTUCKY
May 7-8, 2011 • Richmond, Ky.

First Pitch
Saturday: 12 p.m.; Sunday: 12 p.m.
Series History: EKU leads 51-50-0
Last Meeting: MUR 10, EKU 2 (5/28/10)
Stadium: Turkey Hughes Field (Capacity: 1,200)
Dimensions: 330 (LF), 415 (CF), 340 (RF)
Live Stats: www.GoRacers.com

MURRAY STATE THOROUGHBREDS
Overall Record: 16-26-0
Conference Record: 6-7-0
Last 5/Last 10: 2-3/3-7
Streak: Loss 1
Website: www.GoRacers.com
Head Coach: Rob McDonald
Career Record: 177-246-2 (8th year)
Record at MSU: 177-246-2 (8th year)

EASTERN KENTUCKY COLONELS
Overall Record: 16-29-0
Conference Record: 6-11-0
Last 5/Last 10: 2-3/3-7
Streak: Win 2
Website: www.ekusports.com
Head Coach: Jason Stein
Career Record: 71-80-0 (3rd year)
Record at EKU: 71-80-0 (3rd year)

FIRST PITCH
The Breds return to Ohio Valley Conference action as they travel to Eastern Kentucky for a crucial series May 7-8. The series is set to get underway with a doubleheader Saturday, and conclude with a single game Sunday. First pitch or both days is set for 12 p.m.

INSIDE THE SERIES
The Breds and Colonels have been evenly matched over the years as only one game separates the teams through the first 101 meetings. EKU holds the slim 51-50 advantage in the series, and is 25-18 in games played in Richmond. MSU won four of the five meetings in 2010.

Probable Pitching Matchups
SATURDAY, MAY 7
Pitcher    W-L    ERA    K/BB
Tyler Beers (R)    3-6    5.95    37/18
Stephen Hefler (R)    5-4    3.74    45/24

SATURDAY, MAY 7
Pitcher    W-L    ERA    K/BB
Jake Donze (L)    6-3    4.26    40/26
TBA

SUNDAY, MAY 8
Pitcher    W-L    ERA    K/BB
Luke Shuemaker (L)    3-4    6.93    32/21
TBA

vs. Eastern Kentucky
The Breds and Colonels met five times during the 2010 season, with MSU coming away victorious in four of the games. The Breds swept the three-game series at Reagan Field, but the Colonels won the tournament opener. MSU bounced back the next day to eliminate EKU, 10-2.

Weekend Weather
A chance of rain is in the forecast for this weekend. There is a 50-percent chance of a thunderstorm on Saturday, and a 30-percent chance on Sunday. Temperatures will be in the low 70s on Saturday and upper 70s Sunday.

Morehead Series Moved One Day
Due to a conflict with graduation, the series at Morehead State has been pushed back one day. The series will now have a doubleheader on Sunday, with a single game on Monday. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. both days.

Tight Race For OVC Tourney
Heading into the final three weeks of the regular season, seven teams are separated by just three games in the loss column. Head-to-head action down the stretch will determine which six teams make it to Jackson, Tenn.

Five-Straight on Turf
Tuesday's games at Belmont began a stretch of five-straight games on field turf. After the two midweek games, the Breds travel to Eastern Kentucky. The Colonels installed field turf on their infield prior to this season.

Frey to Play in 200th Career Game
The series opener against Eastern Kentucky will mark the 200th career game for Elliot Frey. He has started 197 of those games, and is closing in on the all-time record of 209 games played, held by Tyler Pittman and Brad Burns. Frey is also chasing the record for most games started, trailing on Pittman's 202 and Burns' 203.

Frey and Noonan Near 200 Hits
Seniors Elliot Frey and Zach Noonan are closing in on a mileston as both players are nearing 200 hits for their careers. Frey enters the weekend with 197 career hits, while Noonan has 196. They are looking to become the ninth and 10th players to join the 200-hit club.

Larson Delivers Game Winner
Cody Larson delivered the game-winning RBI for the second-straight game as he drove in a pair of runs with a single just inside the bag at third against Belmont. He later drew a bases-loaded walk and finished the game 2-for-3 with three RBIs.

Babin Tosses Shutout
Left hander Bryan Babin held Belmont in check as he allowed just five hits over six shutout innings to earn the victory. He did not allow a runner to advance past second base, even when surrendering a leadoff double in the sixth inning.

Five Innings Enough
The Breds won their second rain-shortened game of the season on Sunday as MSU defeat SEMO, 6-2, in just five innings. Earlier this season, MSU defeated Southern Illinois, 5-1, in a game that was stopped after five innings due to rain and darkness.

Donze Sets Records For Starts
With his start against SEMO, senior Jake Donze became the second pitcher in school history to start 41 games on the mound. He is tied with Chris Craycraft (2008-10) and will become the school's all-time leader in his next start against Eastern Kentucky.

Leader in Rare Categories
Shortstop Brandon Elliott finds himself atop two categories not often seen in college baseball. The sophomore leads the league with a .406 batting average and 10 sacrifice bunts. He is the only player in Division I baseball to lead his league in those categories.

Frey Reaches 50
Center fielder Elliot Frey entered the season as the school's single season and career record holder for being hit by a pitch. He has now reached his goal of being hit by 50 pitches. He accomplished that when he was hit on the elbow against SEMO in the second game of a doubleheader on April 30. He has been hit by 11 pitches this season, and has been hit by at least 11 pitches in all four seasons.

On Deck
The Breds take a week off for final exams before returning to the diamond May 13-15 at Morehead State.