SATURDAY'S SCORES
UNC Asheville 3,
Morehead State 2 (Sumter, S.C.)
Morehead State 5, NJIT 3 (Sumter, S.C.)
Western Michigan 9-12,
@Austin Peay 3-8
Dayton 3,
Murray State 1 (Emerson, Ga.)
Bowling Green 15,
Eastern Kentucky 5 (Emerson, Ga.)
@Tennessee Tech 14, Northern Illinois 2
Southeast Missouri 7-0, Bradley 2-5 (New Orleans, La.)
@Arkansas-Little Rock 2-7,
SIUE 0-0
Jacksonville State 11, Western Illinois 3 (Auburn, Ala.)
Akron 8,
Belmont 3 (Macon, Ga.)
Eastern Illinois, @Arkansas (postponed)
UNC ASHEVILLE 3, MOREHEAD STATE 2
SUMTER, S.C. - Morehead State started a day of two backs with a 3-2 loss to UNC Asheville.
The Eagles and Bulldogs both left 12 runners on the base in the first game, but UNCA broke a 1-1 tie with a pair of runs in the fifth, and relief pitcher Evan Joura stymied the MSU offense in the final three stanzas for his first save.
Morehead State left the bases loaded in the seventh and runners on second and third in the eighth without plating a run.
Jordan Fulbright was credited with his first victory in 2015, tossing the middle three innings and giving up just two hits.
Senior righty Tyler Keele relieved freshman starter David Calderon in the fifth but surrendered the tying and go-ahead runs to be pinned with the loss. Senior reliever Blake Smith worked the final three innings and did not allow a hit.
The Eagles out-hit the Bulldogs 8-7. Freshman designated hitter Eric Crain and senior left fielder Nick Newell collected two hits. Lucas Owens and Joe Tietjen recorded two hits apiece for UNCA.
MOREHEAD STATE 5, NJIT 3
SUMTER, S.C. - After losing to UNC Asheville in the first game of the day, Morehead State rebounded to best NJIT 5-3.
In the nightcap, MSU scored all five of its runs in the fourth inning and got 11 strikeouts from three pitchers.
Junior right-hander Matt Anderson fanned five in 5.2 innings, allowed four hits and three runs and moved to 1-0. Sophomore lefty Cable Wright struck out three in the seventh and eighth innings and kept the Highlanders off the scoreboard, and junior right-handed closer Craig Pearcy picked up his third save with a trio of punchouts in the final 1.1 frames.
Sophomore third baseman Alex Stephens and freshman second baseman Braxton Morris provided four of the five RBI in the fourth. Stephens clubbed a two-run double to left center field and Morris drove a two-run single up the middle. Senior shortstop Robby Spencer started the scoring flurry with an RBI single that scored senior first baseman Kane Sweeney.
NJIT tacked on solo runs in the first, fifth and sixth frames. Sweeney and sophomore centerfielder Ryan Kent recorded multi-hit efforts.
Sean Lubreski allowed just three earned runs and struck out five in 6.1 innings on the mound but was tagged with his first loss of the season. Bryan Haberstroh went 3-for-4 in the batter's box.
WESTERN MICHIGAN 9-12, AUSTIN PEAY 3-8
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Austin Peay State University’s baseball team saw its pitching suffer a rough day and dropped both ends of a doubleheader against Western Michigan, 9-3 and 12-8, Saturday at Raymond C. Hand Park.
Austin Peay (4-4) led 2-1 after four innings in the day’s first game, but again left runs on the base paths. A single run in the third could have turned into more as the Govs left two runners in scoring position. It was the last quality scoring opportunity the Govs would have as the Broncos pitching staff retired 12 of the next 14 batters they faced.
Western Michigan (5-3) tied the game in the fifth thanks to a solo home run. But it was the sixth inning that changed the game. Govs starter Jared Carkuff allowed a leadoff double and a one-out walk before departing.
Reliever Michael Costanzo then walked the only two batters he faced, pushing across the tiebreaking run. Reliever Zach Walton entered the game and surrendered a two-run double and a one-run single before retiring the next two batters to end the inning with WMU leading 7-2.
Western Michigan took advantage of another pair of walks to start the eighth inning when right fielder Jared Kujawa hit a two-run single to push the lead to 9-2. Austin Peay would scratch back one of those runs on designated hitter Alex Robles’ RBI single, but could not maintain the rally.
Carkuff (1-2) suffered the loss after allowing four runs on five hits and three walks in 5.1 innings. Catcher Ridge Smith went 2-for-4 with a RBI double in the third. Second baseman Garrett Copeland was 3-for-4 with a RBI single in the second.
Broncos starter Keegan Akin (1-1) picked up the victory after holding the Govs to two runs on four hits while striking out five in five innings. Shortstop Kurt Hoekstra finished the opener 4-for-5 with three RBI, hitting the solo home run in the fifth and a two-run single in the sixth.
Western Michigan, the home team in the nightcap, scored in seven of its eight innings. The Broncos jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the opening four innings. After a scoreless fifth, they added single runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth frames.
The Broncos again took advantage of free bases surrendered by APSU starter Zach Hall. A hit batsmen in the second sparked a two-run rally, capped by third baseman Grant Miller’s two-run single. WMU’s five-run third inning was helped along by an Austin Peay error, an intentional walk and a walk that all eventually scored.
Austin Peay would rally for its eight runs in the game’s final four innings. Shortstop Clayton Smithson’s RBI double and left fielder Cayce Bredlau’s two-run single were the Govs three-run seventh. First baseman Dre Gleason tacked on the game’s final three-runs with a bases-loaded double in the ninth.
Hall (0-2) suffered the loss after allowing nine runs (six earned) on nine hits in five innings. Reliever Zach Neff allowed three runs on four hits over the final three frames. Gleason, who entered the game in the sixth, went 2-for-2 with three RBI and a walk in his three plate appearances. Right fielder Ridge Smith was 3-for-4with a RBI double.
WMU starter Chad Mayle picked up the win after holding Austin Peay to one run on four hits while striking out seven in six innings. Left fielder Caleb Caton went 4-for-5 with three RBI, including a two-run double in the third and a RBI single in the sixth.
DAYTON 3, MURRAY STATE 1
EMERSON, Ga. - In what turned out to be a battle of pitching, the Murray State baseball team lost game two of its series against Dayton Saturday night, 3-1 in Emerson, Ga. The Racers (3-6) collected just a pair of hits in the loss while UD (2-6) had seven hits.
The Flyers took an early lead in the contest, scoring in the top of the first on an AJ Ryan sacrifice fly. MSU would tie the game back up in the third on a Matt McGowan sacrifice bunt that scored Brock Downey. Both of the Racers’ hits came in the third inning.
Dayton would go up 2-1 in the eighth inning on a double to right and would add an insurance run on another double to right field in the ninth inning.
Brad Boegel took the loss for the Racers in the game, dropping him to 0-2 on the season. Boegel was strong in the loss, allowing two runs over 7.1 innings of work while allowing four hits and walking just one and striking-out a career-high nine batters.
Tyler Anderson pitched 1.2 innings of relief and struck-out four. Anderson gave up one run on three hits in relief. UD starter Charlie Dant pitched seven innings and allowed just the two hits and had six strikeouts. Sam Brunner picked up the save for the Flyers and went two innings.
BOWLING GREEN 15, EASTERN KENTUCKY 5
EMERSON, Ga. - Recap coming soon.
TENNESSEE TECH 14, NORTHERN ILLINOIS 2
EMERSON, Ga. - There was no silencing the Golden Eagle bats Saturday afternoon, as the Tennessee Tech baseball team (5-3) compiled 14 hits off of four pitchers to down the Northern Illinois Huskies (4-5), 14-5.
Just one day after being held to a single hit and racking up nine strikeouts, the Golden Eagles looked like a different team, racking up hits in six out of eight innings and scoring a season-high 14 runs. Tech also did not strike out once on the day, instead drawing six walks.
Northern Illinois seemed destined to pull off a second victory in two days early in the contest, taking an early 1-0 lead thanks to a first-inning home run by Stephen Letz. But the tables turned quickly in the bottom of the third.
Having already tallied twice as many hits through the first two innings as the previous nine combined, Tech unleashed a relentless attack on Huskie starter Joe Ceja. With one out quickly recorded, Josh Pankratz earned an impressive, 10-pitch walk that seemed to shake Ceja.
Senior leadoff man David Allen proved that point, doubling down the left field line on the first pitch he saw, putting runners in scoring position for Jake Farr. The shortstop answered the call, doubling down the right field line to give the Golden Eagles a lead they would never relinquish.
All-American Dylan Bosheers promptly stepped into the box and, after one pitch, was plunked in the back to once again give Tech multiple base runners. Then the real damage began to occur. Redshirt freshman Ryan Flick took four pitches for a 3-1 count before hammering a three-run bomb to right center field and breaking the game wide open. Just like that, Tech led 5-1.
Next to enter the box for the Golden Eagles was sophomore Tyler Brazelton. The right-fielder sent a flare down the right field line for a double to keep the momentum flowing. And it didn't take long to explode. Freshman Adam Reed took his turn with the stick, crushing the first pitch he saw clear over the wall in right center field for his first career home run and two RBI. After the third the scoreboard read 7-1 in favor of Tech.
Reed tallied another RBI in the fifth inning, leading a four-run frame that turned the game into a double-digit affair. Jordan Hopkins laced a double to left center field for an RBI and an NIU error brought in another Tech runner. Allen closed the scoring out in the fifth, sending a sacrifice fly to center field.
Tech grabbed one run in each of the next three innings as well, highlighted by a towering shot down the left field line by Bosheers.
The senior finished the day 2-for-3 at the plate, scoring three runs and driving in one. Flick led the Golden Eagles offensively, however, driving in four runs on two hits and scoring two times as well. Reed finished just behind his fellow freshman, putting together a 3-for-4 performance at the dish with three RBI and two runs scored.
Not to be forgotten, sophomore starter Evan Fraliex enjoyed a fantastic day on the hill for the Tech squad, tossing seven innings of nearly spotless ball to pick up his second victory of the season. The right-hander surrendered just the one run in the top of the first, scattering two more hits across the final six frames of his day. He also walked just two batters while punching out three on strikes.
A huge milestone was accomplished on the day as well as head coach Matt Bragga compiled his 300th career victory at the helm of the Tennessee Tech program.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 7-0, BRADLEY 2-5
NEW ORLEANS - The Southeast Missouri baseball team split a doubleheader with Bradley University Saturday. The Redhawks won game one 7-2 but were shutout in the nightcap, 5-0. Southeast is now 4-6 on the season while Bradley is 7-2.
In game one Southeast found their first lead of the series in the first inning. Trevor Ezell reached on a single to right. He advanced on a passed ball and then again on a groundout by Dalton Hewitt. He scored on a sacrifice fly from Andy Lennington, giving the Redhawks a 1-0 lead after one inning.
Southeast extended the lead in the third inning. Brendon Neel hit a one-out triple to left center. He immediately scored on an RBI single to right by Ezell. A single by Hewitt had runners on for Ryan Rippee. Rippe proceeded to double down the left field line, scoring both Ezell and Hewitt and extending the lead to 4-0. The Redhawks batted around in the inning but would strand the bases loaded in the end.
Bradley touched home in the fifth to get on the board. Carson Weber scored on an error by Lennington to make it 4-1.
Bradley added another run in the seventh on an RBI groundout to make it 4-2.
Rippee broke the game wide open for Southeast in the bottom of the inning with a big three-run home run down the right field line to make it 7-2.
The score would stand and Southeast would break their four-game losing skid.
Travis Hayes picked up the victory to improve to 2-1 on the season. Hayes worked seven complete innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits. He struck out six and walked two. Alex Siddle and Brady Wright each threw an inning of scoreless baseball in relief.
Offensively, Ezell went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI in game one of the doubleheader. Rippee finished 2-for-4 with five total RBI in the game.
Bradley starter Steve Adkins (1-1) recorded the loss. He worked only four innings, allowing four runs on five hits.
In game two the Braves jumped on Southeast quick and early in the nightcap. They scored three run off Ryan Lenaburg in the first inning.
Bradley added a run in the third on an RBI double to make it 4-0.
Elliot Ashbeck, the starter from game one of the series Friday, hit a home run to right field in the fifth to bring the final score to 5-0.
The Redhawks put up five hits to Bradley's six in the game but couldn't touch home at all. The Redhawks actually left fewer men on base than Bradley, 6-8.
Ezell continued his good day at the plate going 2-for-3 in game two. Hewitt also put up two hits in the game.
The Redhawks used a total of six pitchers in the game. Lenaburg falls to 1-2 on the season with the loss. He pitched two and a third innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits. He walked three and struck out two. Jacob Lawrence, Matthew Wade, and Siddle all threw at least an inning of scoreless, hitless, baseball in the nightcap.
Ashbeck only had one hit but scored two runs and drive in a pair for the Braves.
Brent Stong (2-0) earned the win. He pitched eight shutout innings, allowing only four hits. He struck out eight Redhawks and walked one.
SIUE 2-7, ARKANSAS LITTLE-ROCK 0-0
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Senior Chase Green tied the school record for longest hitting streak Saturday, but SIUE baseball dropped a pair of games on the road at Arkansas-Little Rock.
The Trojans shutout out the Cougars twice, winning by scores of 2-0 and 7-0. SIUE (0-8) remains winless on the season while UALR improved to 3-4 with the two wins.
Green, who finished the 2014 season on a 17-game hitting streak, singled in the sixth inning of the first game to extend his season hitting streak to seven games and tie the record of 24 games. Nick Seibert had hits in 24 consecutive games during the 2001 season. Green went 0 for 3 in game two.
In game one, the Trojans opened the scoring in the second inning against SIUE starter Ryan Daniels. Rockwell was hit by a pitch to open the inning and later scored on a groundout by Barrett.
In the sixth inning, Petr Sila singled to start the inning. He then advanced to third on an errant pickoff throw by Daniels to first base. Sam Vogel followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0. Sila led the Trojans at the plate he was 2 for 4.
Daniels tossed a season-high 5 1/3 innings but fell to 0-2. He allowed the two runs, one earned, on just three hits. He struck out three.
Brett Thomas pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief. He allowed two hits and struck out two.
Cory Malcom (1-1) earned the win for UALR, throwing seven shutout innings. He allowed three hits and struck out five. Cameron Allen finished the game with two scoreless innings. He allowed two hits and struck out four.
The Cougars and Trojans each finished with five hits. Keaton Wright led the Cougars with two hits. Nick Lombardo, Alec Saikal, and Green each had a single hit.
Jarrett Bednar allowed seven runs on seven hits over five innings in game two. He struck out five. He fell to 0-3 with the loss.
The Trojans already led 3-0 in the fourth inning when a pair of home runs accounted for four runs. UALR put two runners on with one out and neither had a hit. Drew Merten reached thanks to a hit by pitch and Mitchell Scheuler reached on a wild pitch after striking out. Vogel connected on a two-out three-run home run to make it 6-0. Scott followed with a solo homer to make it 7-0.
SIUE managed just three hits against two UALR pitchers in game two. Sam Thoele (five innings) and Dyllon Brownmiller combined for the shutout. Thoele allowed two hits and struck out five in improving to 1-2. Brownmiller earned his first save allowing a hit and striking out six
JACKSONVILLE STATE 11, WESTERN ILLINOIS 3
AUBURN, Ala. - Clayton Daniel had four hits and drove in three runs to lead Jacksonville State to an 11-3 win over Western Illinois in college baseball action on Saturday.
Tony Urban (2-1) scattered seven hits and had six strikeouts to earn the win, while Travis Stout recorded the final four outs to pick up his first save of the season for the Gamecocks. Tom Constand (0-2) got the loss for WIU.
The Gamecocks took a 1-0 lead in the third inning after Taylor Hawthorne scored on Gavin Golsan's RBI single to left field, and then extended the lead in the fourth inning after Paschal Petrongolo scored on Ryan Sebra's RBI single for a 2-0 lead.
Jax State added two more runs in the fifth inning after Golsan reached on a two-out single and stole second. Daniel then doubled down the right field line to score Golsan and Petrongolo followed with a RBI single to right field to score Daniel as JSU built a 4-0 lead.
Western Illinois scored its only runs during the sixth inning on a RBI single by Colton Pogue, while Kendall King and Roman Visintine each knocked in a run to cut the lead to 4-3.
The Gamecocks then had their biggest inning of the season by scoring seven runs on just four hits in the home half of the eighth inning for the final margin.
JSU finished with 13 hits in the game behind four from Daniel and three from Sebra, while Golsan and Petrongolo each added to more hits. Daniel had three RBI and Sebra had two more to lead the Gamecocks.
AKRON 8, BELMONT 3
MACON, Ga. - The Belmont Baseball team fell to the Akron Zips 8-3 on Saturday at Claude Smith Field, home of the Mercer Bears.
Despite a one run lead in the first, the Zips retaliated with 6 runs in the second to which the Bruins couldn't counter.
Starting on the mound for the Bruins was Senior, Patrick McGrath after today's game now 0-1 for the season. McGrath gave up 6 runs on 3 hits. Tyler Vaughn relieved McGrath on the mound in the second. Vaughn gave up 2 runs on 4 hits and struck out four batters, a career best. Josh TubbS made his third appearance for the Bruins on the mound. Tubbs struck out four batters and allowed no runs on 2 hits.
Tyler Fullerton now batting .450 for the season had a part in all three runs scored for the Bruins on Saturday. Fullerton hit an RBI sac fly in the first to plate Ferguson who reached on a single to left field and advanced to second on a wild pitch.
Fullerton stepped up the plate in the top of the third with a lead off homerun for the Bruins secong run of the game. Nick Egli followed with a single but was stranded at two after stealing second.
The Bruins gave up a homerun in the 4th and 5th to Akron and kept the Zips scoreless in the 6th. Bottom of the 7th, Fullerton reached on base after being hit by pitch and advanced to second on a balk. William Dodd singled to center field scoring Fullerton. Dodd was caught stealing at second and was followed by a fly out to end the inning.
Even with a push in the 7th, the Bruins couldn't pass the zips early lead.