HTML STATS | PDF STATS | ARCHIVED BROADCAST
MARTIN, Tenn. – Highlighted by a three-run homer from senior first baseman Kane Sweeney, the Morehead State baseball team tied a program record with its ninth straight victory Saturday. The Eagles defeated UT Martin, 8-6, at Skyhawk Park.
Morehead State, which also won nine straight in 1985 and 1991, improved to 20-13 overall and 7-7 in the Ohio Valley Conference. It also marked the 11
th straight victory over UT Martin since 2012. The Skyhawks slipped to 10-22 overall and 5-12 in the league.
"We did a good job of battling today," Head Coach Mike McGuire said. "Give UT Martin credit. They battled just as hard today, but we got some good breaks, and I thought we got solid pitching from three guys today."
Junior pitcher Craig Pearcy collected his first win of the season, starting the game and going into the seventh. He was charged with six runs, but got through the middle innings unscathed, sitting down nine straight batters. Junior right-hander Aaron Goe struck out a pair in the ninth for his first career save.
Sweeney, who was 3-for-5 at the plate, nailed his team-high sixth round-tripper in the third to drive in freshman second baseman Braxton Morris and sophomore centerfielder Ryan Kent. Morris was 3-for-4 today and is now 6-for-7 in the series. Kent upped his hitting streak to 12 with a double.
Senior shortstop Robby Spencer, senior leftfielder Nick Newell and senior rightfielder Brandon Rawe each produced two hits. Rawe's hitting streak was extended to a team-high 14 games, while Spencer and Newell have reached base on hits in 12 straight now.
Following Sweeney's homer, UTM rightfielder Taylor Douglas connected on a three-run bomb of his own in the third to push the hosts ahead 4-3. But, the Eagles answered with one in the fourth and four in the fifth.
Carter Smith was pinned with the loss, allowing all eight runs in 41 innings. Jackson Zarubin did not allow a run in the final 4.2 frames.
Morehead State will look for a series sweep on Sunday. Game time is set for 2 p.m. ET. The contest can be seen live on the OVC Digital Network, and live audio will be available on MSUEagles.com and the Eagle Empire app.
