FRIDAY'S SCORES
@Eastern Illinois 10, Belmont 2
Tennessee Tech 5, @Murray State 1
@Austin Peay 6, Eastern Kentucky 5
@SIUE 9, Morehead State 8 (11 innings)
Southeast Missouri 11, @Jacksonville State 6
@UT Martin 4, Missouri State 3
EASTERN ILLINOIS 10, BELMONT 2
CHARLESTON, Ill. - A solid pitching performance by Matt Borens and nine runs through the first three innings led to the Panther baseball team defeating Belmont, 10-2, on Friday night at Coaches Stadium.
EIU improves to 13-28 on the year and 7-12 in Ohio Valley Conference play while Belmont drops to 18-23 overall and 8-11 in conference play.
Cameron Berra hit a two-out, two-RBI triple down the right-field line in the bottom of the first inning to give the Panthers the early lead. EIU added three runs on two hits and one error in the next inning to make the score 5-0. A Caleb Howell RBI single up the middle scored the first run before Demetre Taylor drove in the final two runs later in the inning on a single to right field.
Tyler Walsh hit a solo home run in the third inning to get Belmont on the scoreboard before the Panthers responded with four runs on four hits in the bottom of the frame, pushing their lead to eight (9-1).
A Brennan Washington sacrifice fly scored the Bruins final run in the fourth inning. Berra added made the score 10-2 in the seventh inning as the senior infielder crossed home plate on a wild pitch.
EIU had seven more hits (9-2) than Belmont and left two fewer runners on base (7-5). Both teams committed two errors in the contest.
Howell led the Panther offense as the junior outfielder went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs. Berra went 2-for-3 with two RBI, a triple and two runs while Jacob Reese added two runs and two RBI.
Borens (2-4) earned the win as the junior pitcher threw nine strikeouts in eight innings of action. He only allowed two runs (one earned) and two hits in eight innings of action. Jake Haberer pitched the final inning for EIU as the freshman pitcher did not allow any hits or runs with one strikeout.
Patrick McGrath (2-7) took the loss for Belmont, allowing nine runs (six earned) and seven hits in 2.1 innings of action. Blake Harvey threw three strikeouts in 5.1 innings of relief as the senior pitcher only surrendered two hits and one run.
Walsh led the Bruins offense as he finished the day going 2-for-4 at the plate with a run and a RBI.
TENNESSEE TECH 5, MURRAY STATE 1
MURRAY, Ky. - One of the nation's top offenses wasn't needed Friday afternoon, as the Tennessee Tech baseball team (33-11, 15-7) used dominant pitching to take the first of a three-game, Ohio Valley Conference series from Murray State, defeating the Thoroughbreds (17-22, 9-10), 5-1.
Junior ace David Hess was on point in the Tech victory, tossing seven complete innings while allowing just one earned run and two walks. After surrendering two hits and the one run in the first inning, the right-hander locked down on the Murray bats, scattering four hits the rest of the way while tying a season-high with 10 strikeouts.
Hess struck out the side in both the first and third innings, forcing all six outs via a swinging effort by a Thoroughbred batter. On the day, he forced seven swinging strikeouts as well as three looking while garnering his seventh victory of the season.
Senior reliever Stanton Taylor took over right where Hess left off, continuing to shut down the Murray State offense with a dominating performance. Taylor fanned four batters, three of which were unable to pull the trigger.
Tech tied the game in the top of the second frame, using an RBI single up the middle from redshirt sophomore center fielder Jake Rowland to nod things up at 1-1.
The Golden Eagles then took the lead for good in the fourth, starting with a leadoff single by shortstop Dylan Bosheers. Senior catcher Jordan Parris drove in the go ahead run later in the frame, smacking a sacrifice fly to left field to propel Tech to a 2-1 advantage.
The top of the sixth provided the Tech team with some insurance runs, as the Golden Eagles took advantage of a Thoroughbred miscue to strike three times. After two quick outs, outfielder Tyler Brazelton laced a single to center field before being lifted for pinch runner David Allen. Parris reached on a fielder's choice on the next play, but Allen reached third base safely after a throwing error by Murray State.
Leadoff man Zach Zarzour followed the error with a six-pitch walk, working back from an 0-2 count to load the bases. Allen scored on a wild pitch before junior Jordan Hopkins drove in Parris and Zarzour with a two-run single through the right side.
Zarzour and Brazelton led Tech offensively, both recording multi-hit games. Brazelton finished 2-for-2 with a walk while Zarzour was 2-for-3 with two walks and a run scored. Hopkins led the Golden Eagles with two RBI.
Murray State pitcher Cameron Finch was dealt his sixth loss the year, allowing two earned runs in five and two thirds innings of work. He walked four batters and struck out six while surrendering eight hits and five total runs.
AUSTIN PEAY 6, EASTERN KENTUCKY 5
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Shortstop Logan Gray scampered home on a wild pitch and Austin Peay State University’s baseball team walked off with a 6-5 victory against Eastern Kentucky, Friday night, in Ohio Valley Conference action at Raymond C. Hand Park.
Austin Peay (17-25, 9-10 OVC), which never led until the final pitch, twice came back from deficits thanks to Gray's bat. The Govs erased a 4-0 deficit with a four-run seventh inning that was capped by his two-out RBI single.
After Eastern Kentucky scored a run to take a 5-4 lead in the ninth, Gray tied the game in the bottom of the frame with a two-out single. He then would advance to third on second baseman Garrett Copeland’s single. Gray scored the game-winning run as EKU reliever Anthony Bazzani walked center fielder Cayce Bredlau and that last pitch eluded the Colonels catcher to allow the winning run to score.
Eastern Kentucky starter Tanner Perkins kept the Govs off the scoreboard through the first six innings. After allowing a leadoff single to Copeland, Perkins would retire 10 straight Austin Peay batters. He allowed just two hits through six innings, but ran in to trouble in the seventh. He faced nine Govs batters in that frame, ultimately allowing four runs.
Austin Peay starter Alex Robles nearly matched his counterpart, save an of errors that allowed Eastern Kentucky to score three runs in the second inning. The Colonels would tack on another run in the fourth to take a 4-0 lead. Still, Robles struck out a career-high 13 batters in his seven-inning outing, allowing four runs (one earned) on eight hits and a walk.
Govs reliever A.J. Gaura (2-1) allowed the Colonels’ go-ahead run in the ninth, surrendering a leadoff single that would score on catcher Sean Hagen’s two-out single. The Govs comeback win handed him the victory as he allowed one run in two innings.
Eastern Kentucky reliever Anthony Bazzani (0-1) allowed two runs on three hits in a walk while recording two outs in the ninth and was saddled for the loss.
Gray finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored. Left fielder Ridge Smith was a 2-for-4, including a RBI double in the seventh. Copeland and right fielder Rolando Gautier also had two hits each.
EKU right fielder TJ Alas led the Colonels with a 2-for-4, three RBI outing. He had a two-run single in the second and a RBI single in the fourth and was the lone EKU starter not to strike out in the contest.
SIUE 9, MOREHEAD STATE 8 (11)
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Skyler Geissinger's walk-off hit in the bottom of the 11th inning completed an improbable 9-8 come-from-behind win for SIUE baseball Friday. The Cougars defeated Morehead State in the first game of a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series at Simmons Baseball Complex.
The Cougars improved to 11-11 in OVC play and 14-25 overall with the win. Morehead State dropped to 10-9 in the OVC and 22-20 overall.
Geissinger came to plate with no one out and Devin Caldwell at second base. Geissinger was initially bunting but then drove a 2-2 pitch to left field, scoring Caldwell and lifting the Cougars to the win.
The game was scoreless through the first seven innings and the two teams had combined for six hits. Morehead State scored seven times on six hits to take a 7-0 lead in the top of the eighth inning and chase Cougar starter Ryan Daniels.
The Cougars then answered with six runs on seven hits in the bottom of the inning to trim the Eagles' lead to 7-6. Keaton Wright capped the inning with a long grand slam to straight-away center field.
Wright finished 2 for 4 with a triple, the grand slam, and four RBIs.
Morehead State added a run in the ninth inning to go up 8-6, but the Cougars again had an answer. Alec Saikal led off the inning with a double followed by an RBI-triple from Caldwell. Geissinger then tied the game with an RBI single to right field setting the stage for his game-winner later.
Caldwell finished the game 4 for 6 with two RBIs and three runs scored.
After managing just three hits in the first seven innings, the Cougars banged out 12 hits over the game's final three innings.
Jake Stauffenberg (2-5) earned the win in relief. Stauffenberg allowed a run on five hits over 3 2/3 innings. He struck out one.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 11, JACKSONVILLE STATE 6
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - Southeast Missouri scored in all innings except the ninth Friday evening, defeating Jacksonville State (22-18, 11-8 OVC) 11-6 in game one of the three-game series. The Redhawks are now 28-13, 18-4 in Ohio Valley Conference play.
The Redhawks remain three games in front of second-place Tennessee Tech in the league standings after both teams recorded wins Friday.
For the 10th game in a row, the Redhawks scored first in the game. With one out and Cole Bieser on, Matt Tellor climbed in the batter's box and blasted a mammoth home run to left, putting Southeast in front 2-0.
Redhawk starter Alex Winkelman was struggling to find the strike zone to begin the game. Three-straight walks loaded the bases to begin the Gamecock half of the first. Jacksonville scored on a much-needed double play. Another run scored on an error by Andy Lack, tying the game at 2-2.
Southeast was quick to take the two runs back in the top of the second with production from the bottom of the lineup. Cole Ferguson drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Lack poked a single to the right center gap, scoring Ferguson. The centerfielder booted the ball on the play, allowing Lack to advance to second. Lack then scored on an RBI single up the middle by Clayton Evans to give Southeast Missouri a 4-2 lead in the top of the second.
The Redhawks extended the lead just a touch in the top of the third. After blasting a monster home run in the first, Tellor doubled to left center. Derek Gibson extended his hitting and on base streaks to 18 games when he ripped an RBI double down the right field line, widening the lead to 5-2.
Evans drew a two-out walk in the top of the fourth. He stole second then scored on a blooper single by Jason Blum over a leaping third baseman. Blum advanced to second on a high throw by the left fielder to home. The Redhawks led 6-2 going to the bottom of the fourth.
The Redhawks' second error of the game immediately cost them a run. Andrew Bishop tripled to right center. The relay throw to third was off the mark, allowing Bishop to score on the play. The run remained unearned as Winkelman retired the next two batters. Southeast led 6-3 going to the fifth inning.
Southeast scored once again the fifth inning. Gibson singled to right and advanced to second on a passed ball. Andy Lennington threaded one up the middle, past a diving shortstop, scoring Gibson, and widening the lead to 7-3 over the Gamecocks.
Tellor pushed two more runs across in the sixth. Lack and Evans drew walks to lead off the inning, prompting Tony Urban to come in and pitch. Blum laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners, followed by a walk to Bieser to load the bases. Tellor then singled to left, scoring Lack and Evans, making the score 9-3.
Three straight hits for Jacksonville to lead off the sixth scored a run for the Gamecocks. Winkelman struck out Joe McGuire for the first out and was then taken out of the game, relieved by Brady Wright. After a walk loaded the bases, Michael Bishop hit a high fly ball to deep left that Evans made a phenomenal over-the-shoulder catch on, allowing the runner on third to tag up and score, 9-5 Redhawks after six complete innings.
The Redhawks scored once again in the seventh inning on an Evans RBI single, scoring Dalton Hewitt. Redhawks went up 10-5.
With runners on the corners, Gibson sent a ball whizzing past the pitcher. The shortstop, A. Bishop, made a fantastic play to force Tellor out at second but couldn't get Gibson at first. Blum scored on the play. 11-5 Redhawks.
The only inning Southeast didn't score Friday evening was the ninth inning as the Redhawks went down in order in the frame.
Griff Gordon homered to right in the ninth inning to bring the score to 11-6.
Tellor finished 4-for-5, just a triple short of hitting for the cycle, with four RBI. Gibson, Lennington, and Lack all had two hits in the game. Lack and Gibson both had two RBI as well.
Winkelman continued to improve to 4-2 on the season with the victory. Winkelman pitched five and a third innings, allowing five runs on seven hits. Only three runs were earned. Wright recorded his second save after pitching three and two thirds innings in relief Friday evening. Wright allowed only one run on two hits. Winkelman fanned seven batters while Wright struck out five.
Andrew Bishop was a perfect 3-for-3 Friday. He was the only Gamecock hitter to have a multiple hit game.
Starter Adam Polk (4-2) recorded the loss. Polk only saw two and a third innings in the game. He allowed five runs on six hits.
UT MARTIN 4, MISSOURI STATE 3
MARTIN, Tenn. - Taylor Douglas extended his hitting streak in a big way tonight, as the junior outfielder blasted a pair of home runs – including the go-ahead shot in the bottom of the eighth to send the University of Tennessee at Martin past Missouri State by a 4-3 margin at Skyhawk Field.
UT Martin matched its opponent from the Missouri Valley Conference pitch for pitch tonight. But ultimately it was a pair of swings from Douglas – who is hitting at a .523 clip (23-for-44) during his 11-game hitting streak – that got the Skyhawk offense rolling and put the finishing touches on UT Martin’s third straight home win.
Douglas had three hits for his team-leading 16th multi-hit game of the season and seventh 3-hit outing in the last 23 games. Freshmen outfielders Fletcher Johnson and Chase Young also had big two-out RBI’s tonight while Jake Deason and Mikey Nantze each crossed the plate for the Skyhawks (6-33).
Not to be outdone, the UT Martin pitching staff twirled quite a game this evening. Starting pitcher Taylor Cox battled tonight, allowing three runs with no walks against five strikeouts over six strong frames. Carter Smith (2-2) earned the victory in relief tonight after allowing just one base hit over two innings. John Houston notched his third save of the season after a dominant ninth inning where he fanned a pair of batters while firing 10 of his 13 pitches for strikes.
Cox pitched around a pair of Missouri State hits in the first inning, inducing a double play and inning-ending strikeout. Douglas then gave UT Martin its first lead of the game with a towering solo round tripper that cleared the centerfield wall in the bottom of the first.
The Bears got one run back in the top of the second and would take a 2-1 lead in the top of the third. However, Cox accounted for a pair of punchouts in a scoreless fourth, allowing the Skyhawks to reclaim the lead in the home half of the inning.
After two quick outs, Deason singled through the right side and advanced to second on an errant pickoff throw. Nantze was then hit by a pitch and three pitches later, Johnson ripped a single to right field and Deason made a nifty slide just under the tag at home plate to even the score at 2-all. Young then fought off a 1-1 pitch for an opposite field single just past the diving Missouri State third baseman, scoring Nantze and tilting the score back in UT Martin’s favor at 3-2.
Missouri State (18-20) would even the score once again in the top of the fifth but Cox retired the side in order in his sixth and final inning.
Smith pitched around a pair of Skyhawk errors in the top of the seventh, ending the inning with an emphatic called strikeout. The first two Bears reached base in the top of the eighth but Smith settled in and once again kept Missouri State off the scoreboard.
It was then Douglas’ time to shine once again. After working the count to 3-1, he turned on a fastball and sent it to the netting protecting the scoreboard in left field to put the Skyhawks back ahead, 4-3. It was the fifth longball in the last four games and team-high sixth round tripper of the season for the Holladay, Tenn. native.
Houston then mowed down the Bears in order in the top of the ninth, retiring the final two batters on strikeouts.