Baseball Eagles fall in second game of EKU series

BOX SCORE (PDF)

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Eastern Kentucky took advantage of an extremely blustery day and nailed five home runs, and the Morehead State baseball team fell 19-3 to the Colonels Saturday at Turkey Hughes Field.

EKU, which claimed the series by winning the firs two contests this weekend, improved to 13-14 overall and 3-5 in the Ohio Valley Conference. MSU slipped to 16-11 overall and 5-6 in the conference.

"This was as disappointing a loss as we've had all year," said Head Coach Mike McGuire. "We didn't compete at the plate, and we walked way too many guys. It was pretty simple to see why we lost today."

MSU freshman designated hitter Trevor Snyder homered for the third straight game, an epic two-run shot to left field, in the first to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead. Snyder is now 8-for-13 with eight RBI in the last three outings. 

But EKU third baseman Mandy Alvarez launched a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning, and OVC home run leader Kyle Nowlin connected on his 12th round-tripper of the year in the second, and EKU led 6-2.

Colonel shortstop Cole Warrenfeltz nailed two home runs in an eight-run sixth inning, and Logan Starnes notched the fifth long ball of the day for the hosts.

Morehead State starter Aaron Leasher (3-1) struck out nine batters but also walked six and allowed eight runs in five frames for his first loss of 2016. Three other Eagle pitchers issued five more walks. The Eagle batters also struck out a season-high 13 times.

EKU starter Alex Hamilton (2-3) fanned nine in six innings and surrendered just three earned runs. MSU junior centerfielder Ryan Kent led the offense with a 3-for-4 day, while Snyder had two hits.

The teams will conclude the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.