Breds Wins Fourth Straight With 10-2 Victory Over WKU

Tuesday, February 28

Murray, Ky.

2 p.m.

Murray State

6-3

Western Kentucky

2-6

WKU

Murray State

Photo by: Samantha Mohr

2/28/2012 6:10:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY

Mike Kozlowski went 4-for-5 with a pair of RBIs and Bryan Babin allowed just two unearned runs over six innings as Murray State won it's fourth-straight game with a 10-2 victory over WKU Tuesday afternoon at Reagan Field. The victory was just the second for the Breds in the past 17 matchups.

The Breds (6-3) got the offense going in the fourth inning as Kozlowski delivered a one-out single up the middle. Dylan Wheeler followed with a double down the left-field line. Cody Larson followed with an RBI single to right field. After a sacrifice bunt by Brandon Eggenschwiler, Luke Daugherty delivered a two-run single up the middle. Ty Stetson drove in the fourth run of the inning with a hard grounder through the left side that rolled all the way to the fence for an RBI triple.

MSU added another run in the fifth as Travis Isaak singled off the glove of the third baseman and went to second when Jacob Rhodes drew a walk. Kozlowski loaded the bases with a single to right, and Wheeler drove in Isaak with a groundout to the right side.

WKU (2-6) took advantage of a two-out fielding error to push across two runs in the sixth inning. After the error, Justin Hageman singled off the glove of the third baseman and Ryan Hutchison drove in both runners with a triple off the top of the fence in right center.

The Breds broke it open in the eighth by sending nine hitters to the plate and scoring five runs. They loaded the bases with one out on an Eggenschwiler single through the right side, a Daugherty single through the left side and a Stetson walk. A passed ball scored the first run of the inning before a Paul Ritzheimer walk reloaded the bases. Isaak drove in a run with a fielder's choice, and a fielding error allowed another run to score. Kozlowski delivered the big hit of the inning with a two-run double off the base of the fence in left field.

Babin (1-0) allowed the two unearned runs on just three hits over six innings. After allowing a one-out single in the first, Babin did not allow another hit until their were two outs in the sixth inning. He had retired eight-straight after the first-inning single before hitting the leadoff batter in the fourth. He retired the next three hitters to get out of that inning. The fifth started with a leadoff walk, but a fielder's choice and a double play quickly ended that inning.

Luke Shuemaker (2) earned the save by allowing three hits and striking out four over the final three innings. He needed just 11 pitches to retire the side in order in the seventh. He fanned the first two hitters of the eighth, but then gave up back-to-back singles. He ended the threat by striking out the next hitter he faced. Shuemaker struggled to start the ninth as he gave up two hits, but got a double-play ball and a flyout to end the game.

Austin Clay (1-2) took the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits in 1.1 innings.

Kozlowski led the offense by going 4-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. Daugherty went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. He has hit safely in all five games he has played this season.

The Breds return to the diamond this weekend as they travel to face Central Arkansas in a three-game series. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. Friday evening.