Racers Let Early Lead Slip Away in Loss

Saturday, March 19

Reagan Field

2 p.m.

Murray State

9-12, 2-3

SIUE

2-13, 1-4

SIU Edwardsville

Murray State

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

3/19/2016 5:28:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

SIU Edwardsville left fielder Logan Andersen made a diving catch in left center field with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning to preserve a 9-8 Cougars' lead and win the game for SIUE over Murray State Saturday at Reagan Field.

The Racers (9-12, 2-3 OVC) were unable to hold on to an early 8-2 lead, as a six-run fifth inning for the Cougars (2-13, 1-4 OVC) tied the game at 8-8. SIUE was able to get the game-winning run in the top of the eighth on a sacrifice fly.

After the Cougars opened the game with a run in the first, MSU was able to tie the game on a Reed Thompson RBI single in the bottom of the second inning. A four-run inning in the third pushed the Racers' lead to 5-1. Tyler Lawrence and Ramsey Scott both collected RBI with bases-loaded walks in the inning while Caleb Hicks delivered a two-RBI double to right center later in the inning.

MSU hung another crooked number on the board in the fourth with a three-run effort. After SIUE was able to score a run in the top-half of the inning, Scott delivered a two-ribbie double down the left field line and Cody Gilbert scored on a wild pitch from third to make it 8-2 Racers.

SIUE was able to battle all the way back with its big fifth inning. The Racers threatened in the ninth thanks to a leadoff single from Scott and walks from Kipp and Nick Moore before Andersen's game-saving catch.

The Racers collected 13 hits in the game while SIUE had 12. However, MSU had three errors to SIUE's two and also grounded into a season-high three double plays that kept runs off the board. The Racers also stranded 10 batters in the loss.

Four Racers led the way with two hits each in the contest. Bauer, Gilbert, Jaron Robinson and Scott each had the multi-hit games while Bauer, Gilbert and Lawrence all scored twice in the loss. Cody Maerz was saddled with the loss in the game as he allowed a run on four hits in 4.2 innings of relief. John Lollar got a no decision in his start, pitching 4.1 innings and allowing eight runs, five of which were earned, on eight hits.

The rubber match of the series between the two will be Sunday at Reagan Field. First pitch has been moved up to an 11 a.m. start.