'Breds Fall At Southern Illinois 8-4

Wednesday, March 22

Carbondale, Ill.

2:00 p.m.

Murray State

Southern Illinois

3/22/2006 6:00:00 AM | Baseball

The Murray State Thoroughbreds let some opportunities fall through their fingers at Southern Illinois this afternoon, leaving nine runners on base in the first four innings in their 8-4 loss.

In the first inning, Brett Mullins and Seth Hudson led off the game by drawing walks from SIU starter Tyler Norrick, who began the game unable to find the plate. Norrick hit Tyler Pittman to load the bases with no one out, but Jason Payton, Lincoln Kent and Jamie Leidolf each struck out looking to end the threat.

The Salukis (14-9) got on the scoreboard first with two runs in the bottom of the first. A throwing error extended the inning, but was nullified when SIU runners were caught napping and were caught in a double play that started with a flyout to center.

Murray State (7-13) took a lead in the fourth inning when Tyler Owen led off with a single, then moved to second on a one-out single by Phil Lopez. Mullins reached on a fielder's choice, with Lopez getting out at second, but Mullins went to second on a throwing error on the play, scoring Owen. Hudson singled Mullins in to tie the score at 2-2, then Pittman singled Hudson to third. Payton was hit by a pitch to load the bases, then

Kent

walked in Hudson to put MSU ahead 3-2. Pittman scored on a wild pitch, then Leidolf walked to load the bases. The runners remained on the bases after Owen struck out looking, but the ?Breds had a 4-2 lead.

Southern Illinois plated a run in the bottom of the fourth to pull to within 4-3, then scored three in the sixth and two in the eighth for the final margin.

“I was really disappointed with our play today,” said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. “We didn't seem to have that sense of urgency in our dugout, and I don't like that. We'll be working on a lot of things before our OVC opener this weekend.”

Owen had a co-game-high three hits, including two doubles, while Hudson went 2-for-5 for MSU. SIU was led by Grant Gerrard, who had three hits, including a double and a triple, and Matt Brewer, who also went 3-for-3. Gerrard and Brewer had two runs batted in apiece, and Gerrard scored three runs, while Scott Elmandorf had two.

In the field, catcher Payton had a team-high seven putouts, while shortstop Lopez had a game-high four assists. For the Salukis, catcher Hunter Harrigan had 10 putouts, while second baseman Bret Maugeri had three assists.

Daniel Calhoun (1-2) took the loss in relief for MSU, allowing four runs on four hits, striking out four and walking two in three innings. West Harris started the game, and allowed two runs on three hits, striking out two in three innings. Jon Newton closed out the game, allowing two runs on three hits, striking out two in two innings.

For SIU, Danny Wells (1-1) got the win in relief among seven Saluki pitchers, facing four batters, striking out two and walking one in one inning.

Murray State hosts Lambuth tomorrow (Thursday) at 2 p.m., then opens its Ohio Valley Conference schedule on Saturday with a noon double-header against Samford.