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LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A four-run eighth inning ended Morehead State baseball’s attempt to rally against No. 22 Louisville as the Eagles fell 8-3 Tuesday at Jim Patterson Stadium.
A three-run double over the head of right fielder
Luke Bainer off the bat of Cardinal senior Stewart Ijames highlighted Louisville’s scoring effort in the eighth.
Left-handed starter junior
Garrick Whittle toed the rubber for the Eagles. He allowed an unearned run to the Cardinals (36-17, 16-8 Big East) in the first inning on a hit batter, throwing error by the catcher and a wild pitch.
Senior catcher
Eric Bainer provided the equalizer for the Eagles (25-25, 10-14 OVC) in the top of the second with his team-leading eighth long ball of the season, a solo home run over the left field wall.
Whittle did not escape the second frame as he allowed four consecutive singles and threw a wild pitch, which gave Louisville a three-run advantage. He took his fifth loss of the season and pitched 1.1 innings, allowed four hits, hit a pair of batters and allowed four runs.
Cardinal starter Chad Green earned the victory, his fourth of the season. He went one time through the Eagle lineup, fanned three and tossed 2.1 innings.
The Eagles threatened the Louisville lead in the sixth trailing 4-1. Seniors Luke and
Eric Bainer were both hit by pitches by reliever Joe Filomeno with one out. Pinch hitter
Cole Cleveland singled with two outs to load the bases and both
Bainers came home on a fielding error by Cards third baseman Alex Chittenden.
Left fielder
Taylor Pickens and Cleveland recorded multi-hit outings for MSU. Pickens went 2-for-3, with two walks and a stolen base.
MSU returns to Allen Field Thursday to face Ohio Valley Conference opponent UT Martin beginning at 5 p.m. ET.
