Ohio Valley Conference

Tournament Box Scores
Game 1: Eastern Illinois 12, Austin Peay 11
Game 2: Eastern Kentucky 12, Southeast Missouri 6
Game 3: Murray State 8, Tennessee Tech 3
Game 4: Southeast Missouri 4, Austin Peay 0
Game 5: Eastern Illinois 9, Tennessee Tech 2
Game 6: Eastern Kentucky 13, Murray State 6
Game 7: Murray State 4, Southeast Missouri 3
Game 8: Eastern Kentucky 8, Eastern Illinois 7
Game 9: Murray State 6, Eastern Illinois 4
Game 10: Murray State 11, Eastern Kentucky 5
Game 11: Murray State 19, Eastern Kentucky 4


2003 All-Tournament Team
Infielder – Gary Gilbert, Southeast Missouri
Infielder – Ronnie Seets, Murray State
Infielder – Neil Sellers, Eastern Kentucky
Infielder – Chris Uhle, Eastern Illinois
Infielder – Jonathan Woodard, Eastern Kentucky
Outfielder – Josh Anderson, Eastern Kentucky
Outfielder – Ike Bridwell, Murray State
Outfielder – Kirk Walters, Eastern Illinois
Designated Hitter – Bret Pignatiello, Eastern Illinois
Pitcher – Tim Alvarez, Southeast Missouri
Pitcher – Kyle Perry, Murray State
Pitcher – Matt Tyson, Eastern Illinois

Tournament MVP: Kyle Perry, Murray State


CHAMPIONSHIP: #4 MURRAY STATE 19, #5 EASTERN KENTUCKY 4
Murray State's baseball team took the tough road to the title game of the 2003 OVC Baseball Tournament, but the hard work paid off as the Thoroughbreds came through the losers' bracket and defeated Eastern Kentucky twice to claim the crown. After winning the first game by an 11-5 margin, the 'Breds exploded for 26 hits in the second contest to cruise to a 19-4 victory and their first OVC Tournament title since 1979.

Murray State, which earlier dropped a mistake-prone contest to Eastern Kentucky in the tournament, shone through Saturday, sweeping a doubleheader, 11-5 and 19-4, to claim the 2003 Ohio Valley Conference tournament title.

The Thoroughbreds (25-29), who committed 10 errors in a Thursday loss to the Colonels, won four games over the tournament's final two days, relying heavily on a pitching staff that posted the tournament's best team ERA (3.88). Kyle Perry (8-4) picked up the win in the day's first game allowing no runs in seven innings of work while striking out nine and walking two. Craig Ringwald (5-4) was the second game's winner after allowing just four runs over 5.2 innings.

While the pitching staff was the day's big story, the 'Bred offense threatened to steal the limelight, scoring 30 runs on 38 hits in the two games. Catcher Charlie Ward went 6-of-10 with 5 RBI in the two games at the leadoff position. Center fielder Garner Byars and Matt Rebout each picked up four hits in the second game.

The Colonels (24-29), who entered the game as the tournament's top-ranked offense, managed just 18 hits in the two games. Third baseman Neil Sellers and shortstop Jonathan Woodard each had three hits on the day.

Following the tournament's conlusion, a 12-member all-tournament team was announced and Perry was named the tournament's most valuable player after going 2-0 in two tournament appearances with a 0.69 ERA and 14 strikeouts. He allowed just six hits over 13.0 innings, walking seven batters.

The tournament title is Murray State's first since 1979, and they earn the league's automatic bid into the upcoming NCAA tournament. The 'Breds will learn their destination at 11:30 a.m., Monday via a selection show on ESPN. Regional action will begin a 16 sites on May 30. It is the first NCAA tournament appearance for MSU since a 1979 at-large berth.


GAME 9: #4 MURRAY STATE 6, #6 EASTERN ILLINOIS 4
Saturday's contest to determine the 2003 OVC Baseball Tournament champion will be an all-Kentucky affair after No. 4 Murray State eliminated sixth-seeded Eastern Illinois in a 6-4, 13-inning marathon, Friday night to set up a meeting with No. 5 Eastern Kentucky in the tournament finale.

Murray State (23-29) built a 4-1 lead, then watched as Eastern Illinois (26-31) rallied with three ninth-inning runs, two coming with two outs, to force extra innings. Matt Rebout led MSU with three hits and two RBI, but Alex Stewart and Ronnie Seets had the game's biggest hits as their back-to-back doubles in the 13th inning led to the win. Kirk Walters and Pete Stone had two hits apiece for EIU.

The 'Breds got a career-best effort from starting junior Bart Peach, who went seven innings, allowed just one run on four hits and two walks while striking out eight. Ian Moore (1-0) came on to get the final out in the ninth and finished the game, working the final 4-1/3 innings for his first collegiate victory after limiting the Panthers to no runs on two hits with four strikeouts.

Matt Tyson (3-6) took the loss for EIU after coming on in the fourth inning and allowing six runs on three hits and striking out nine in 7.2 frames before giving way to closer Nathan Stone, who recorded the final two outs.

With the win, Murray State advances to the championship game for the first time since 1985, when Eastern Kentucky came out of the losers' bracket to beat the 'Breds twice for the championship. This season, the roles will be reversed as Murray State has to beat EKU twice for the title. Saturday's action is set to begin at 1 p.m. at Brooks Stadium in Paducah, Ky. If necessary, a second game will follow.


GAME 8: #5 EASTERN KENTUCKY 8, #6 EASTERN ILLINOIS 7
Eastern Kentucky (24-27) scored a bunch of runs early, then held off a late Eastern Illinois (26-30) rally as the fifth-seeded Colonels became the first higher-seeded team to win a game at the 2003 OVC Baseball Tournament in Paducah, Ky, defeating the No. 6 Panthers, 8-7.

The Colonels scored all but one of their eight runs in the second, third and fourth innings. Six EKU batters registered multi-hit efforts as Jonathan Woodard led the way with his 5-for-5, two-double performance, driving in two runs and scoring once. Stephen Carter and Josh Anderson added three hits apiece while Neil Sellers, Will Whisenant and Keith Bolger each had two.

EKU hurler Brandon Scott (4-2), working in relief of starter Nick Adams and Chris Clark, held the Panthers to two hits and one run over the final two frames to earn the victory. Nathan Stone (4-6) took the loss, giving up the game-winning run in the eighth inning after coming on in relief with one out in the seventh.

Eastern Illinois drops into tonight's elimination contest against fourth-seeded Murray State, while Eastern Kentucky advances to tomorrow's 1 p.m. championship contest where the Colonels will face the winner of the EIU-MSU meeting.


GAME 7: #4 MURRAY STATE 4, #2 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 3
After suffering through last night's error-plagued loss to Eastern Kentucky, Murray State's defense rose to the occasion Friday afternoon at the 2003 OVC Baseball Tournament, committing just one miscue as the fourth-seeded 'Breds defeated No. 2 Southeast Missouri in an elimination contest.

Murray State (22-29) got on the board first taking a 2-0 advantage on Geoff Kirksey's second-inning, two-run home run. Kirksey finished the game 1-for-3 with two RBI. Southeast Missouri (31-20) attempted to come back, scoring in the sixth, seventh and eighth frames, but Murray State answered twice and held on late for the victory.

Murray State's Craig Kraus (3-6) picked up the win after pitching 6-1/3 innings and allowing two runs on five hits. Gordon Dugan pitched an inning, holding SEMO to one run. Greg Gray picked up the save (8) closing out the game with 1-2/3 innings of work, striking out the last two batters of the game.

With three games remaining in the 2003 OVC Tournament, only the bottom three seeds remain. Murray State will get a short break before playing the loser of the Eastern Illinois (No. 6 seed) and Eastern Kentucky (No. 5 seed) contest in a 7 p.m. elimination contest, Friday night.


GAME 6: #5 EASTERN KENTUCKY 13, #4 MURRAY STATE 6
In a wild and wacky turn of events at the 2003 OVC Baseball Tournament, the bottom two seeds will be playing for a championship berth on Friday after No. 5 Eastern Kentucky knocked off fourth-seeded Murray State, 13-6, Thursday evening in Paducah, Ky.

Murray State's (21-29) defense committed at least one error in each the first four innings on the way to a tournament-record 10 miscues. Eastern Kentucky (23-27) took advantage of the defensive lapses to take a 9-0 lead after four frames and never looked back.

Josh Anderson, the 2003 OVC Player of the Year, went 5-for-6 with four runs, two RBI, two doubles and four stolen bases, pacing the Colonels' offense. Anderson set the OVC record for single-season stolen bases with his swipe in the second inning and now sits at 53 for the season. Sellers set the OVC mark for single-season runs batted in with his RBI single in the third and finished the game with two, upping his season total to 84. The lone bright spot for the 'Breds was Ike Bridwell's two-run homer in the fifth. Bridwell, Matt Rebout and Ronnie Seets had two hits apiece for MSU.

With the win, EKU advances to the winners' bracket final against No. 6 Eastern Illinois at 3 p.m., Friday. Murray State falls into the losers' bracket, where they will meet second-seeded Southeast Missouri in an 11 a.m. elimination contest.


GAME 5: #6 EASTERN ILLINOIS 9, #3 TENNESSEE TECH 2
The upside-down bracket continues at the 2003 OVC Baseball Tournament as upstart Eastern Illinois (26-29), the tournament's sixth-seed, handed second-seeded Tennessee Tech (27-25) an early exit with a 9-2 loss Thursday afternoon. The Panthers have now defeated two of the top three seeds in this year's tournament.

EIU starter Jared Marshall (7-2) became the second hurler of the day to pitch a complete-game victory, scattering seven hits and two runs over nine innings while walking two batters and striking out one. Tech starter Dusty Eubanks (6-2) was chased before retiring a batter after surrendering six of EIU's seven first-inning runs to suffer his second loss of the season.

Five Eastern Illinois batters recorded multi-hit efforts as both Kyle Haines and Pete Stone each had three-hit performances. However, it was Nolan Cork's three-run scoring double in the first that did the most damage.

With the loss, Tennessee Tech ends the season 27-25. Eastern Illinois advances to Friday's 3 p.m. contest, where the Panthers await the winner of tonight's meeting between Eastern Kentucky and Murray State.


GAME 4: #2 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 4, #1 AUSTIN PEAY 0
Southeast Missouri ace and 2003 OVC Pitcher of the Year Tim Alvarez threw what is believed to be the first no-hitter in OVC Tournament history as the No. 2 Indians (31-19) eliminated top seed Austin Peay (27-27-1) with a 4-0 victory Thursday in losers' bracket action of the 2003 OVC Baseball Tournament in Paducah, Ky.

Alvarez (14-3) struck out nine batters and walked four for his sixth complete game and third shutout of the season as he recorded his first career no-hitter. Austin Peay starter Dustin Smith (6-6) also went the distance in taking the loss, giving up four runs off 10 hits with four strikeouts and three walks.

Denver Stuckey, Gary Gilbert and David Lawson backed up Alvarez with two hits and one RBI apiece.

Austin Peay, the 2003 OVC regular-season champion, becomes the first casualty of the tournament as the Governors finish their season with a 27-27-1 record. Southeast Missouri survives to play another day but will have to await the completion of Thursday's 3 p.m. contest between Eastern Illinois and Tennessee Tech to find out who its next opponent will be.


GAME 3: #4 MURRAY STATE 8, #3 TENNESSEE TECH 3
Fourth-seeded Murray State (21-28) completed the underdog trifecta Wednesday night, handing No. 3 Tennessee Tech (27-24) an 8-3 loss. A solid pitching performance by MSU starter Kyle Perry gave the 'Breds their first OVC tournament first-round win since 1991.

Perry (7-4) worked six innings for the victory, allowing just one run off three hits while striking out five batters and walking five. Tech starter Ben Downs (9-2) lost only his second game of the season after getting touched for seven runs (six earned) off eight hits with seven strikeouts and three walks.

Garner Byars and Brett McCutchen paced the 'Breds with two hits and three RBI apiece, while Dan McAleavey plated three runs to go with his two hits. Ronnie Seets also rapped out a pair of MSU singles. Tech managed just six hits in the contest as Philip Hatch led the Golden Eagles with two hits and two RBI.

With the win, MSU advances to Thursday's 7 p.m. winners' bracket contest against No. 5 Eastern Kentucky while Tech fights to stay alive in the tournament in a 3 p.m. meeting with No. 6 Eastern Illinois.


GAME 2: #5 EASTERN KENTUCKY 12, #2 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 6
Neil Sellers drove in three runs off two hits and scored twice as fifth-seeded Eastern Kentucky (22-27) opened the 2003 OVC Baseball Tournament with a 12-6 upset of No. 2 Southeast Missouri (30-19). Southeast's loss marks the third consecutive year that the number two seed has been defeated in first-round tournament action since the six-team event changed to a pure double-elimination format.

Colonel reliever Scott Goetz (3-4) limited the Indians to four hits and two runs over the final five innings, striking out five batters and walking two others to earn the victory. Taking the loss for Southeast was starter Bill Clayton (4-3), who gave up four hits, five walks and four runs in three innigs.

Jonathan Woodard had two hits and two RBI for EKU and leadoff batter Josh Anderson posted a 3-for-5 effort with two runs scored. Southeast's Justin Christian drove in two runs off two hits for the Indians while Denver Stuckey, Gary Gilbert, Seth Moulton and Aaron Fangman also had two hits apiece.

Eastern Kentucky advances to play the winner of tonight's game between No. 3 Tennessee Tech and No. 4 Murray State, while Southeast Missouri drops into the losers' bracket and awaits the loser of this afternoon's Austin Peay-Eastern Illinois contest.


GAME 1: #6 EASTERN ILLINOIS 12, #1 AUSTIN PEAY 11
An offensive outburst by No. 6 Eastern Illinois (25-29) propelled the Panthers to a 12-11 victory over top-seeded Austin Peay (27-26-1) Wednesday afternoon at the OVC Baseball Tournament. The Governors jumped out to an early 8-0 lead, but a trio of home runs enabled EIU to stage the second upset of today's opening round.

Kirk Walters led the Panthers bats with a 4-for-5, four-RBI effort, including a three-run homer in the sixth inning that capped off a five-run rally and put EIU in front, 9-8. Chris Uhle started the rally with a two-run dinger and finished 4-for-5 with two RBI and four runs scored. Bret Pignatiello had only one hit, but it was a biggie as his three-run shot in the third inning put the Panthers on the board for the first time. He finished with four RBI and two runs scored. The Govs' loss overshadowed strong performances by Chris Hyde and Travis Beech, who had four hits apiece. Hyde drove in four runs and scored once while Beech plated three runs. Ron Bethke scored three times and contributed three hits.

EIU reliever Matt Tyson (3-5) scattered seven hits over 5-2/3 scoreless innings to claim the win while APSU reliever Scott Steinbrecher (2-1) was hung with the loss after giving up five runs and three hits.

Austin Peay will now face No. 2 Southeast Missouri in an elimination contest at 11 a.m. Wednesday. The game marks the second time in three years the top two seeds have faced each other in the losers' bracket on the second day of tourney action.