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RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky turned four double plays, including three to end innings, as the Colonels defeated the Morehead State baseball team 4-2 at Turkey Hughes Field Wednesday night.
The setback ended a nation-best 11-game winning streak for the Eagles, which began with a pair of wins over EKU two weeks ago. The midweek contest did not count in the Ohio Valley Conference standings. The hosts improved to 12-20 and evened the season series with MSU, 2-2. Morehead State fell to 22-14.
"I thought we hit the ball well, we just hit into too many double plays," Head Coach Mike McGuire said. "Give Eastern Kentucky some credit. We out-hit them, but they took advantage of their opportunities, and we came up empty. I thought our pitchers threw the ball well and kept us in the game."
The Colonels, who had just seven hits, scored once in the sixth, seventh and eighth frames after falling behind 2-1. EKU cut MSU at-bats short with double plays in the first, second and fourth frames and also recorded the initial outs in the sixth on a double play.
EKU got on the board first with a successful double steal in the first. Second baseman Doug Teegarden stole home on a throw down to second base.
The lead held until the top of the sixth when senior designated hitter Chris Robinson drove home sophomore centerfielder Ryan Kent, who had doubled earlier, with the tying tally. Robinson scored later on senior leftfielder Nick Newell's single through the left side.
Two of the final three EKU runs were scored by players who reached base by walks or hit-by-pitches.
EKU starter Chris Cervantes gave up both runs and nine hits in six frames, but reliever Ben Brooks collected the victory to move to 2-0. He surrendered just one hit in the final three innings.
Freshman righty Brent Stoneking was taxed with the loss, falling to 2-2. He gave up just one run in 1.2 frames in relief of starter Patrick McGuff. McGuff only allowed three hits in 5.1 innings.
Senior shortstop Robby Spencer was 3-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 15 games. Kent had a pair of successful at-bats to up his hitting streak to 15, and Newell extended his to 15. Senior rightfielder Brandon Rawe now leads the team with a 17-game hitting string.
Designated hitter Luke Wurzelbacher had a pair of hits to lead the Colonels.
Morehead State wil host SIU Edwardsville for a conference series this weekend. Game one is slated for 4 p.m. ET Friday. Weather permitting, all three contests will be broadcast on the OVC Digital Network.
