Offense Carries Breds to 11-5 Victory Over Belmont

Wednesday, March 21

Murray, Ky.

2 p.m.

Murray State

12-10

Belmont

14-9

Belmont

Murray State

Photo by: Samantha Mohr

3/21/2012 6:01:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY

Murray State scored six runs in the first two innings and continued to add runs throughout the game to record their third-straight victory, 11-5, over Belmont Wednesday afternoon at Reagan Field.

The Breds (12-10) got on the board quickly in the first inning as Ty Stetson started things with a single up the middle and was able to trot around the bases on the Travis Isaak two-run home run to left field. For Isaak, it was his second home run in as many at-bats dating back to yesterday's game against Mid-Continent.

MSU added to the lead in the second as Brandon Elliott drew a leadoff walk and went to third on a wild pitch and passed ball. Noah Zipko hit a chopper over the head of the pitcher for an RBI single before Paul Ritzheimer ripped a double into the gap in left center. Stetson drove in bother runners as he lined a triple over the head of the center fielder.

The Bruins (14-9) got a run in the third inning as Greg Brody drew a two-out walk and scored on Judah Akers' bloop single to right field that was misplayed by the right fielder

The Breds answered right back in the home-half of the inning as Cody Larson beat out a bunt down the third-base line and Luke Daugherty followed with an infield single up the middle. After a successful sacrifice bunt from Brandon Elliott, Rick Linton drove in the first run of his career with a groundout to third.

MSU added to its lead in the fifth as Elliott started a two-out rally with a single to right center. Elliott went to second on a wild pitch and took third on a Jacob Rhodes' pinch-hit single into the hole at short. Zipko followed with a single to right center to score Elliott, but when the ball was bobbled by the right fielder, Zipko took second on a close play and Rhodes was able to score.

The Bruins pushed across four runs in the fifth as Jared Breen got things started with a solo home run to left field. A throwing error, hit by pitch and single to right loaded the bases with one out. Zac Mitchell drove in two runs with a double to right center. Judah Akers drove in the fourth run with an infield single to shortstop.

The Breds got back on the board in the eighth as Stetson walked and went to second on a Colton Speed bunt base hit. Daugherty drove in a run with a single to right field and Elliott followed with a run-scoring single up the middle.

Bryan Babin (2-1) earned the victory after allowing just one unearned run on three hits over a predetermined three innings of work. Dan Ludwig (0-3) took the loss after allowing six runs on five hits over two innings.

Stetson led the 16-hit attack by going 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and three runs scored. Zipko also went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs, while Daugherty, Elliott and Rhodes each collected two hits.

The Breds return to the diamond Friday afternoon as they open a three-game series against Morehead State. First pitch for the 2012 Ohio Valley Conference opener is set for 2 p.m.