Breds Fall Despite Strong Pitching Effort

Friday, April 25

Reagan Field

3 p.m.

Murray State

17-22, 9-10

Tennessee Tech

33-11, 15-7

Tennessee Tech

Murray State

Anthony Bayus applies the tag at second base.

Photo by: Ricky Martin/Ledger & Times

4/25/2014 6:28:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

| BOX SCORE (.pdf)

A costly throwing error with two outs in the sixth inning helped pushed across three unearned runs in Tennessee Tech's 5-1 victory over Murray State Friday afternoon at Reagan Field.

Lost in the final score was the pitching effort MSU got from starter Cameron Finch and reliever Tyler Saltsman. Facing the NCAA leader in home runs and runs scored, the duo combined to allow just one extra-base hit. Finch (3-6) was the tough-luck loser, allowing five runs, two earned, on eight hits and six strikeouts over 5.2 innings. Saltsman allowed just two hits over 3.1 shutout innings. Saltsman has now thrown 12.1-straight shutout innings over his last five appearances.

The Breds (17-22, 9-10 OVC) got on the board in the first inning after Ty Stetson drew a leadoff walk. With two outs, Tyler Lawrence ripped a single up the middle to put runners on the corners. Michael Hargrove then drove in Stetson with a single to left center.

The Golden Eagles (33-11, 15-7 OVC) tied the game in the second on Jake Rowland RBI single up the middle. TTU added a run in the fourth on a Jordan Parris sacrifice fly to left field.

MSU looked like it would escape the sixth inning without any damage as an inning-ending fielder's choice was thrown away at second, extending the inning. A wild pitch plated one run before Jordan Hopkins drove in two runs with a single off the leg of the pitcher.

David Hess (7-2) earned the victory after allowing just one run on six hits and 10 strikeouts over seven innings.

Lawrence led the Breds offense with a pair of hits.

The two teams will play the middle game of the three-game series Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.