MSU Comes Up Short in Series Finale

Sunday, March 5

Reagan Field

Noon

Murray State

7-4

Siena

2-9

Siena

Murray State

Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics

3/5/2017 3:17:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Live Scoring Results (PDF)

The Murray State baseball team was held scoreless the final five innings of the game, as Siena was able to rally from a five-run deficit to defeat the Racers, 9-8 on Sunday at Reagan Field.

The Saints (2-9) were able to get a three-run innings in both the fifth and eighth innings to rally from an 8-3 deficit after four complete. The Racers (7-4) were able to build on that lead thanks to a six-run bottom of the fourth.

Kipp Moore got the Racers out to an early 1-0 lead as he hit his third leadoff home run of the season and second in as many games on Sunday. The lead would not last long, however as Siena was able to get two runs in the top half of the second to take its first lead of the game. Following an RBI-groundout from Brandon Gutzler to tie things in the third, the Saints again took the lead with their own run in the top of the fourth to go up 3-2.

MSU then went to work offensively in its half of the fourth. Back-to-back bases-loaded walks by Adam Bauer and Gutzler pushed the Racers in front 4-3 and in the next at-bat, Tyler Lawrence delivered a grand slam deep to left field, giving the Racers an 8-3 advantage.

A three-run top of the fifth put Siena back within striking distance, before pushing ahead in the top of the eighth, 9-8. MSU was held to five hits in the final five innings of play and left four runners stranded on base.

Chad Gendron took the loss as he gave up the game-winning homer from Siena's Joe Drpich. Gendron allowed just the one earned run in two innings of work. Tyler Horsley, Bobby Pennington and Alec Whaley all pitched in relief of starter Trevor McMurray. Whaley was the most effective out of the bullpen as he worked 2.2 innings and allowed just one hit.

McMurray gave up three earned runs off four hits in 3.2 innings in his start on the mound. McMurray also walked four batters. The Racers had 10 walks as a staff in the loss.

Bauer and Lawrence went 3-for-4 and 3-for-5, respectively at the plate in the contest. Bauer and Moore both scored two runs each while Ryan Perkins and Davis Sims both went 2-for-5.

The Racers return to action Tuesday at Reagan Field as Southern Illinois comes to town for a 4 p.m., contest.