Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
South Dakota State
'Breds Split Twinbill With South Dakota State
3/10/2007 6:00:00 AM | Baseball
Murray State was involved in two pitching gems today, both with nail-biter finishes that saw the Thoroughbreds win the first game 4-3, but visiting South Dakota State held on in the latter game to win it 4-3.
In Game 1, South Dakota State (8-9) got on the scoreboard with a run in the second inning, but Murray State (3-11) got the run back in the fourth when freshman left fielder Chad Allen led off with a single, followed by a single from senior center fielder Tyler Pittman that moved Allen to third. A sacrifice fly from senior catcher Jason Payton tied the game at 1-1.
The 'Breds went ahead in the eighth inning when senior designated hitter Austin Swain drew a leadoff walk, then went to second on a groundout. Sophomore shortstop Justin Yount hit a single to short that moved Swain to third, but Swain scored on an errant throw to give MSU a 2-1 lead.
Junior right-hander Mike Perconte cruised through the first eight innings, allowing only one run on three hits in the first eight frames. In the ninth inning, however, the Jackrabbits scored two runs on four hits. Freshman right Brad Rowland came in with one out and the bases loaded and put out the fire, inducing a flyout and closing the inning with a strikeout with SDSU leading 3-2.
In the bottom of the ninth, Pittman hit a leadoff double, then went to third on a groundout. He then scored on a wild pitch, tying the game at 3-3. With two outs, senior pinch-hitter Jamie Leidolf reached on a fielding error that allowed him to reach second base. Junior Matt Scheer went in to pinch-run for Leidolf, and Swain hit a single that bounded over the SDSU first baseman's head to allow Scheer to score the winning run.
Pittman went 3-for-4 for the 'Breds with a double and a run scored. Defensively, senior first baseman James Akin had nine putouts, while senior second baseman Seth Hudson had four assists.
For South Dakota State, Craig Parry and Tony Martin had two hits apiece, with Martin driving in two runs. Defensively, first baseman Tyson Fisher had 13 putouts, while second baseman Matt Zabel had seven assists. The Jackrabbits combined for 20 assists in the game.
On the mound, Rowland (1-2) got the win for Murray State. Perconte allowed three runs on seven hits, striking out four and walking two in 8-1/3 innings, throwing 115 pitches.
For SDSU, Kevin Morsching (3-1) took the loss in relief, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits, walking one in 1-2/3 innings. Matt Bowman started for the Jacks, allowing one run on six hits, striking out two in seven innings.
The second game was equally as exciting, with Murray State getting on the scoreboard first in the second inning. Payton led off by reaching on a fielding error, then went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Akin. Payton moved to third on a groundout, then Yount singled him in. Sophomore catcher Daniel Miller then singled Yount to second, then Scheer drove in Yount to give the 'Breds an early 2-0 lead.
South Dakota State struck for four runs in the third with the aid of two Murray State miscues to take a 4-2 lead. The score would remain that way until the seven and last inning.
Swain led off with a single to left, then junior pinch-hitter Andrew Cella slapped a single through the right side, moving Swain to second. Junior Blake Helm came on to pinch-run for Cella. Leidolf sacrificed the runners over one base, then Swain scored on a groundout. Allen came up with Helm on third and two outs, and hit a sharp grounder to third base, getting beaten by the throw by less than a step.
Six 'Breds each had singles, with Payton, Yount and Swain scoring runs and Hudson, Yount and Scheer driving them in. Defensively, Miller had nine putouts, while Hudson had a game-high six assists.
For South Dakota State, five batters each had hits, with Parry, Korby Mintken and Nick Adams each getting doubles. Defensively, Fisher had 10 putouts, while shortstop Jake Rogers had five assists.
On the mound, Rowland went the distance for Murray State, allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits, striking out eight and walking only one in seven innings. Rowland threw 87 pitches in the game.
For the Jackrabbits, Caleb Thielbar (1-2) got the win, allowing two unearned runs on four hits, striking out three and walking none in six innings. Jacob Kougl came on and got his sixth save of the season, but it wasn't easy, allowing one run on two hits in one inning.
"I was really encouraged by our pitching today," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "Mike (Perconte) pitched like we knew he was capable of pitching. It was great to see him come out and pitch like that. Brad Rowland pitched very well, too. We couldn't ask him to pitch any better. (SDSU) pitched very well, too. It made for two really good games.
"Our guys fought hard and they got themselves in a position to win at the end in both games. It just came down to: in the first game, the key hit went between people, and in the second, it was right at somebody. Our guys are competing well, and we look forward to things to start going our way more often."
Murray State visits Arkansas State on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
