SUNDAY'S SCORES
Murray State 11-5, Western Illinois 5-4
(Marion, Ill.)
@#15 Virginia 13,
Eastern Kentucky 1
Morehead State 7, @Alabama A&M 1
Bowling Green 5-7,
@Southeast Missouri 2-9
@Austin Peay 8, Toledo 7 (10 innings)
Illinois State 16,
@Tennessee Tech 8
Indiana State 7,
@Belmont 4 (10 innings)
Eastern Illinois 6, @Memphis 2
SIUE 5, @Louisiana Tech 2
MURRAY STATE 11-5, WESTERN ILLINOIS 5-4
MARION, Ill. - The Murray State baseball team went up the road to Bank One Park in Marion, Ill., and swept a doubleheader against Western Illinois, winning game one 11-5 and coming from behind in game two to win 5-4. Sunday’s games were originally scheduled to be played at Reagan Field Friday and Saturday.
The Racers (3-3) jumped on WIU (0-5) early in the first of the twin-bill, scoring four in the first inning and didn’t look back. The Leathernecks would get within two at 4-2 thanks to a two-run home run in the second but the Racers responded with a run in the bottom half of the inning and then scored in in innings four through six to push the lead to 11-4.
Ryan Perkins, Jaron Robinson and Davis Sims all had two hits in the win with Perkins driving in a run and scoring four times while Sims tallied a game-high three ribbies. Robinson and Sims both had a pair of doubles in game one. MSU pounded out 10 hits in the victory.
Trevor McMurray picked up his first win of the season as he got the start on the hill. McMurray pitched 5.1 innings and allowed four runs on nine hits while striking out a career-high six batters. Connor Holden and Nate Pianto pitched two and 1.2 innings of relief, respectively and combined for five strikeouts and just one walk.
Game two was a different affair as neither team could get the bats going until the latter half of the game. Perkins got MSU on the board first in the bottom of the fifth on a sacrifice fly RBI to left that scored Tyler Duke. Perkins was robbed of extra bases on the play as the Leatherneck left fielder made a diving over-the-shoulder grab.
A pair of hits with two outs in the top of the sixth pushed WIU ahead for the first time all day but the lead wouldn’t last long as Caleb Hicks belted his first homer of the season to right center in the bottom of the inning to tie the score at 2-2.
MSU would take the lead for good on Mike Farnell’s sac fly RBI later in the inning that brought home Wehby and in the seventh, Sims scored on an error by the WIU shortstop and later in the inning, an RBI single by Grant Wood scored Wehby to push the MSU advantage to 5-2.
WIU made things interesting with a run-scoring triple and an RBI groundout in the eighth to make it 5-4 before Alec Whaley could get out of the inning. In the ninth, Tyler Anderson came on and slammed the door shut for his first save of the season with a swing strikeout to end it.
Peyton Hayes took the no decision in the start as he went 5.2 innings and allowed two runs while striking out five. Whaley got his second win of the season in relief as he pitched 2.1 innings.
Both teams collected nine hits in the nightcap with Sims leading the way with another two-hit game while Wood was 2-of-3 in the win.
#15 VIRGINIA 13, EASTERN KENTUCKY 1
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Eastern Kentucky University’s baseball team won the series opener at No. 15 University of Virginia on Friday, but the Cavaliers came back to win the final two games of the series, including a 13-1 victory on Sunday at Davenport Field.
Virginia (4-3) jumped out to a quick start with three runs in the first inning, including a two-run double by Nate Eikhoff. The Cavaliers turned a 4-0 lead into a 10-0 advantage with six runs in the fourth to put the game away.
Eastern Kentucky freshman Jake Lewis recorded his first collegiate hit with a single to right field in the second inning. UVA starter Evan Sperling, who entered the game having not allowed a run and just one hit this season, retired the next 11 batters he faced before leaving the game after the fifth inning.
Sperling (2-0) allowed one hit, no walks and struck out six in his five innings of work.
Lewis finished 1-for-2 with a walk for Eastern Kentucky.
Miles Jones added an RBI double in the top of the ninth to set the final score.
Eikhoff finished 1-for-3 with a run and three RBIs. Charlie Cody had a 3-for-4 day with a run scored and one driven in for Virginia.
MOREHEAD STATE 7, ALABAMA A&M 1
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Using a six-run second inning, Morehead State Baseball (5-3) completed its sweep of Alabama A&M on Sunday. Home runs from senior first baseman and junior leftfielder Niko Hulsizer powered the Eagles in the victory.
Niemann got the scoring started for Morehead State, crushing the first pitch he saw over the right field wall for the first run. Senior second baseman Braxton Morris continued the scoring for the Eagles, poking an RBI single to left to score freshman designated hitter Bryce Hensor. Junior right fielder Jake Hammon plated an additional run for Morehead State, crossing the plate on a wild pitch.
Morehead State added three more runs in the second frame as junior centerfielder Connor Pauly laced an RBI double into the left center gap to plate Morris. Hulsizer followed, hitting a mammoth two-run shot to extend the Eagle lead to 6-0.
Alabama A&M added a run in the bottom of the second. A two-out single by Morris in the sixth represented the Eagles' final run, scoring Hensor.
Redshirt sophomore righty Jason Goe started on the mound for Morehead State, surrendering five hits, walking one, and fanning one. He surrendered the only run on the afternoon, and the three-game series, for the Eagles.
Sophomore right-hander Jake Ziegelmeyer (1-0) relieved Goe, tossing 2.2 innings, punching out four of the eight hitters he face. Righties TJ Satterly and John Sherman also threw for Morehead State, combining for two hitless innings of relief.
BOWLING GREEN 5-7, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 2-9
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Tristen Gagan's two-run home run with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning sent Southeast Missouri (2-6) to a 9-7 comeback win as the Redhawks split a doubleheader with Bowling Green (2-5) Sunday at Capaha Field.
SEMO and BGSU split the four-game series.
The Redhawks, who fell behind in the first inning during all four of their games against the Falcons, trailed 7-5 after seven-and-a-half innings in the nightcap.
Designated hitter Peyton Faulkner drew a leadoff walk and Justin Dirden was hit by a pitch following a strikeout by Danny Wright. Trevor Ezell followed with a huge triple down the right field line to tie the game at 7-7. Following a pitching change, Gagan smashed David Steward's first offering over the right field wall and Ezell scored the game-winning run.
SEMO never led in the game until Gagan's late home run, his second of the day.
Christian Vick (1-1) was strong out of the bullpen tossing four scoreless innings with six strikeouts. Vick allowed just three hits in that span and did not give up a walk. He picked up his first career win as a Redhawk.
A total of 11 pitchers took the mound between the two teams in the series finale.
Steward (0-1) was credited with the loss after walking one and giving up the home run to Gagan. He worked two-thirds of an inning.
In game one, the Redhawks were behind, 2-1, before tying the game when Justin Dirden singled to right field and Ezell scored on the same play with two outs.
BGSU, however, used a two-RBI single by Justin Scott in the top of the fifth and a single by Joe McGuinness in the seventh to get by SEMO.
Tyler Anderson (1-1) earned the win. Anderson allowed five hits and two runs, while striking out four in five innings. Jeremy Spezia recorded the final two outs of the game to get the save.
Daniel Bergtholdt (0-2) took the loss. Bergtholdt gave up four walks and struck out three in 4.2 innings. He scattered two hits and allowed four runs, as well.
Offensively, Gagan went 4-for-7 with two runs scored, two home runs and three RBI for the doubleheader. Ezell and Dirden followed close behind with three hits each. Ezell's triple was the 10th of his career as he now stands in a three-way tie for fifth among the school's career leaders in that category.
SEMO registered 18 hits in the twin bill, including nine each game.
AUSTIN PEAY 8, TOLEDO 7 (10)
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Center fielder Imani Willis’ walk-off single helped Austin Peay State University’s baseball team complete a three-game sweep of Toledo with an 8-7 victory in 10 innings, Sunday afternoon at Raymond C. Hand Park.
Austin Peay (6-1) held a 7-6 lead after the sixth inning and both bullpens made that score stand until the ninth inning. In the top of the ninth, Toledo tied the game with left fielder John Servello’s two-out home run. The Rockets would threaten to take the lead in the inning, but Govs reliever Harley Gollert induced a lineout to end the threat.
Gollert (1-0) would work around a one-out walk in the 10th to hold the score at 7-7. Austin Peay would open its half of the 10th with third baseman Malcom Tipler’s single and moved him into scoring position with pinch hitter David Martinez’ sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Willis would work the count to 2-1 before driving the ball through the left side of the infield and Tipler scampered home with the winning run.
Willis finished the day going 2-for-4 with a RBI and posted seven RBI in the three-game set. Shortstop Garrett Kueber led off the game with his first collegiate home run as part of a 3-for-5 outing. Third baseman Bobby Head had a two-run single in the fourth as part of his 2-for-4 day.
Gollert picked up his first collegiate win after tossing 1.1 scoreless innings of relief, striking out a batter. Reliever Brett Newberg was left with no decision despite holding Toledo to two runs on four hits while striking out six over five innings.
Third baseman Brad Boss had a solo home run and RBI single as part of his 2-for-4, two RBI performance. Catcher Michael Ryan and Servello – batting eighth and ninth in the Toledo batting order, respectively – each had two RBI.
Toledo reliever Luke Schaefer (0-2) was tagged for the loss after allowing the winning run in his only inning of work that saw him retire only two batters.
ILLINOIS STATE 16, TENNESSEE TECH 8
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - A second straight high-scoring affair did not fall in favor of the Tennessee Tech baseball team Sunday afternoon, as Illinois State (3-3) defeated the Golden Eagles (4-2) in the series finale, 16-8.
Just a day after Tech exploded offensively for 11 home runs and a 30-17 win, the Golden Eagles looked on their way to another strong day with the sticks early. After starter Nic Dye struck out the side to kick off the game, the home squad plated two runs in support, thanks to single RBI from Chase Chambers and David Garza.
Two innings later, Illinois State settled in, jumping out in front with five runs in the top of the third. The Redbirds followed with two more in the fourth to take a 7-2 advantage. Alex Junior ripped an RBI single up the middle to get a run back and make it a 7-3 game, but ISU wasn't finished.
In the top of the sixth, the Redbirds blew the game open, plating six to take a 13-3 lead. The visitors tacked on three more in the seventh for good measure and a 16-3 advantage that would stand up to a small, late rally by the Golden Eagles.
Tech snagged a run off an RBI groundout by Chambers in the bottom of the seventh, then gathered four more in the eighth. Junior beat out an infield single for an RBI after Brennon Kaleiwahea drove one in on a groundout. Chambers then laced a two-run single through the right side to move Tech's run total to eight.
Chambers led the Golden Eagles on the day, finishing 2-for-5 with four RBI and a double. Junior reached bases all five times he saw the plate, tallying a 2-for-2 day with three runs scored, two RBI, two walks and a hit by pitch.
Senior third baseman Trevor Putzig reached four times, drawing three walks as part of a 1-for-2 showing. He also scored two runs. Zell Walker scored twice as well, gathering two hits in four at bats.
Colton Provey and Brock Myers covered the final two and two thirds innings without allowing a run against an otherwise explosive Redbird offense.
INDIANA STATE 7, BELMONT 4 (10)
NASHVILLE - Belmont baseball (3-4) falls to Indiana State (5-2) in a 7-4 decision Sunday afternoon after a costly ninth inning.
Junior Casey Queener (Brentwood, Tenn.) started on the bump for the Bruins. Queener sat down two batters in the first inning to give Belmont some momentum. Belmont would get things going in the bottom of the third.
After two quick outs, senior Cully Day (Mahomet, Tenn.) got things started, hitting a bomb to right field for a home run single. Junior Hunter Holland (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.) followed that up with a double to left center field. Sophomore Matt Cogen (Franklin, Tenn.) rocketed an RBI single to center field that sent Holland across the plate which forced an Indiana State pitching change. The Sycamores would retire the inning giving up two runs to the Bruins.
Indiana State scored its first run in the top of the first after a Sycamore was hit by a pitch and advanced to ultimately score on a wild pitch. Belmont earned their two-run lead back later in the inning. Senior Ben Kocher (Zionsville, Ind.) started the inning off with a deep double to right field. Senior Kyle Conger (Brentwood, Tenn.) hit a double of his own to center field that sent Kocher home for a 3-1 lead.
Indiana State threatened to make a move in the top of the first, putting together a couple hits to load the bases with only one out. Belmont stepped up and made a double play to retire the side.
Belmont continued to keep the hits coming in the bottom of the fifth with Holland firing off another double to put himself in scoring position. Junior Chas Hadden (Morristown, Tenn.) got in on the action knocking one up the right side to drive Holland home to extend the Belmont lead to 4-1.
Indiana State continued to put on the pressure, scoring in the seventh inning to cut Belmont's lead to two runs. After a scoreless eighth inning, Belmont looked to put things away in the top of the ninth. Freshman Logan Bowen (Bowling Green, Ky.), who hadn't allowed a hit in his first two appearances, tried to close things out on the mound for the Bruins. Bowen made a great play to throw the second batter out at first to put Belmont within one out. After a walk and a couple base hits, Indiana State sent two runs across the plate to tie the game.
After a base hit and stolen base from day and intentional walks of Cogen and Hadden, Belmont was in scoring position with two outs. Kocher stepped to the plate to attempt to seal the deal for the Bruins, but lined out to the first baseman to send the game into extra innings.
The Sycamores rallied in the top of the 10th, scoring three runs before freshman Chandler Schultz (Nashville, Tenn.) took the hill for the Bruins. Schultz struck out the first batter he faced and Day made a defensive play to end the Indiana State run.
Belmont was unable to get things going in the bottom of the 10th and ultimately fell 7-4.
EASTERN ILLINOIS 6, MEMPHIS 2
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Eastern Illinois baseball team was able to extend their winning streak to four games today against Memphis. The Panthers were able to complete the series sweep at Memphis winning 6-2.
With the win Eastern Illinois advances to 4-2 on the season, while Memphis dropped to 2-5 on the season.
Hunter Morris homered to get the scoring started in the series finale at Memphis in the top of the second. Matt Albert would then reach first after being hit by a pitch. Andrew Curran would spark a two out Panther rally singling to right field, advancing Albert into scoring position. Joe Duncan would hit a base clearing two run triple down the right field line. Jimmy Govern would extend the Panther lead to 4-0 singling to left to score Duncan.
Eastern Illinois was able to extend their lead to 5-0 in the top of the third on a Jimmy Huber single.
Ryan Knernschield kicked off the top of the sixth inning for the Panthers with a single down the left field line. Knernschield moved into scoring position on a wild pitch, and later advance to third on a Curran ground out to short. Duncan picked up his third RBI of the game scoring Knernschield on a single to left field to give the Panthers a 6-0 lead.
Memphis would get on the board in the bottom of the seventh when Evan Bell would score on a wild pitch.
Tyler Webb homered for Memphis in the bottom of the eighth to cut the Panther lead down to four. Memphis trailed EIU 6-2.
Carson Haws earned his first win of the season on the hill for the Panthers pitching a total 7.2 innings, with four strikeouts, four hits, two runs, two walks, and two runs. Jake Haberer came in to relieve Haws in the eighth inning striking out three batters, and allowing one hit.
Duncan finished 3-for-5 with three RBIs, triple, and a run. Morris finished 2-for-3 with a homerun, RBI, walk, and a run. Govern finished 2-for-4 with an RBI.
SIUE 5, LOUISIANA TECH 2
RUSTON, La. - IUE starter Kenny Serwa threw six innings of two-hit shutout baseball Sunday, leading the Cougars to a 5-2 win over Louisiana Tech in the finale of a three-game series. The Cougars are now 2-4. Louisiana Tech fell to 5-3.
Serwa (1-0) struck out five and did not walk a hitter, earning his first win in a Cougar uniform.
Louisiana Tech starter Logan Bailey also worked six shutout innings. He gave up three hits and struck out six.
After six scoreless frames, SIUE struck first in the top of the seventh on a two-out, solo home run from Jared McCunn. The Cougars tacked on four more runs in the eighth inning. Peyton Cordova-Smith singled to drive home Eric Giltz and Bret Fehr, both of whom had walked in the inning. Brock Weimer followed with a two-run home run to make it 5-0 SIUE.
Weimer finished 1 for 4 with two RBIs.
McCunn and Brock Hammit finished with two hits apiece.
The Bulldogs only runs came against Cougar reliever Chris Robinson on two hits in the bottom of the eighth. Louisiana Tech brought the tying run to the plate before Mason McReaken came on to get out of the eighth. He hit a pair of batters in the ninth, but struck out two in the inning to earn his first save of the year.
Louisiana Tech right fielder Mason Robinson was 2-3 with an RBI for the Bulldogs.