Southeast Missouri edges Baseball Eagles in series finale

BOX SCORE (PDF)

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – For the second straight day, the Morehead State baseball team found itself on the wrong end of an extra-innings decision. Southeast Missouri got a bases-loaded walk in the 10^th inning Sunday to top the Eagles 6-5 and finish off a three-game sweep.
 
The Eagles, who led 4-1 after five innings, slipped to 12-7 overall and 3-3 in the Ohio Valley Conference. SEMO remained unblemished in league play at 6-0 and moved to 13-8 overall.
 
"We have to get production up and down the lineup to be good, which we were doing earlier this year," said Head Coach Mike McGuire. "Yesterday it was the bottom of the order, and today it was the top of the order, but not everyone. We had plenty of chances the last two days to score runs and add to our lead, and we didn't do it."
 
In a tie game (4-4) in the top of the ninth, junior third baseman Alex Stephens raced home and scored on a wild pitch. But the Redhawks got a one-out RBI single by leftfielder Garrett Gandolfo off MSU closer Tyler Keele in the bottom of the ninth.
 
In the top of the 10^th, SEMO closer Justin Murphy struck out the side to set up what ended up as the winning inning for his team.
 
Brian Lees walked to lead off the frame. Chris Osborne laid down what appeared to be a sacrifice bunt. MSU first baseman Jesus Carrera's throw to second baseman Braxton Morris glanced off the first-base umpire, who appeared to be obstructing the line of the throw. The runners ended up on second and third with no outs.
 
After an intentional walk, Hunter Leeper lifted a fly out to leftfielder Tanner Buenting, who gunned down pinch runner Daniel Costello trying to score. Another intentional walk loaded the bases, and first baseman Ryan Rippee coaxed a five-pitch walk to end the game.
 
Keele (1-1), the last of six MSU pitchers, was saddled with the loss, while Murphy was credited with the victory. MSU starter Aaron Leasher racked up seven strikeouts in 5.1 frames.
 
Carrera led the MSU offense by going 3-for-5 and scored three times. Freshman catcher Hunter Fain collected two RBI. Junior rightfielder Will Schneider extended his hitting streak to 11 games.
 
Morehead State will look to halt a four-game losing skid on Tuesday at Kentucky. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. ET.