HTML STATS | PDF STATS
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Five errors proved costly for the Morehead State baseball team as it gave up four unearned runs in a 13-5 loss to Big 12 Conference foe West Virginia on Tuesday night at Appalachian Power Park.
The Mountaineers improve to 21-17 on the year with the victory. The Eagles fall to 9-28 on the season, having now lost 13 straight.
MSU had runners in scoring position in six of the first seven innings, but was only able to drive in runs in two of those, stranding 12 in the process.
"It seemed like every inning we were getting guys on base, but failed to drive them in or even put the ball into play," Head Coach Mike McGuire said. "We've fallen behind early too often lately and we've got to start taking advantage of early baserunners."
A single to center field in the third inning allowed sophomore first baseman Kane Sweeney, who went 1-for-4 with a walk in the contest, to extend his on-base streak to 28 straight games.
WVU got things going in the bottom of the second inning, plating four runs on one walk, two hit batters and two hits, highlighted by an RBI double from junior designated hitter Matt Frazer.
The Mountaineers added two more in the fourth on an MSU throwing error and an RBI double from sophomore shortstop Taylor Munden. They tacked on another in the fifth on a sacrifice fly from Frazer to extend the lead to 7-0.
MSU got on the board in the top of the sixth when senior pinch hitter Kellen Begeman picked up his first RBI of the season, driving in senior left fielder Nick Duff with a single to right field. WVU answered in the bottom half of the inning, plating two runs on a pair of MSU miscues, the first an MSU throwing error and the second a wild pitch.
The Eagles rallied in the seventh, driving in four runs on four hits. They loaded the bases with only one out, setting up three straight RBI singles from senior catcher Drew Williams, freshman designated hitter Taylor Sears and sophomore second baseman Jeff Birkofer. Senior center fielder Taylor Pickens capped the rally with a sacrifice fly to cut the WVU lead to 9-5.
WVU bounced right back though, plating two runs in both the seventh and eighth to close out the game.
Senior shortstop Chase Greenwell and Sears, who were the only Eagles with multiple hits, both went 2-for-4 in the contest.
Junior right-hander Ryan Tezak (3-0) picked up the win out of the Mountaineer bullpen, allowing no hits or runs in two innings. MSU freshman right-hander Tyler Keele (2-5) was charged with the loss, allowing four runs on two hits while walking one and hitting two WVU batters.
Morehead State opens a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series on Friday at UT Martin. Game one is scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET first pitch. Game two is slated for Saturday at 6 p.m. and game three is set for Sunday at 2 p.m.
