Leasher dazzles in second career complete-game shutout

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EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Morehead State sophomore lefthander Aaron Leasher struck out a career-high 15 batters, and the Morehead State baseball team evened the series with a 2-0 victory at SIU Edwardsville Saturday at Simmons Complex.
 
Leasher improved to 5-1, surpassing his previous career-best of 12 Ks he set in a 9-0 shutout against Belmont on March 26. He fanned at least one SIUE hitter in every inning but the sixth and ninth and upped his season total to 84.
 
"After Matt (Anderson) pitched so dominant Friday night (with 11 Ks), I didn't think anybody could pitch much better, but Aaron did today. We had some guys up and ready in the bullpen, but we felt he could get through it. That saves our bullpen for if we need it Sunday, and that is important," said head coach Mike McGuire.
 
The Eagles moved to 22-18 overall and 9-8 in the OVC. The Cougars fell to 8-27 overall and 5-15 in the league after beating MSU by an identical score Friday.
 
Leasher allowed only four hits and got out of a one-out, bases-loaded spot in the bottom of the eighth by striking out the final two.
 
MSU scored once in the third and fourth innings. Junior centerfielder Ryan Kent drove in sophomore second baseman Braxton Morris with the first run on a ground out. Freshman third baseman Tanner Buenting lifted a sacrifice fly in the fourth to plate sophomore leftfielder Tyler Niemann.
 
Niemann and freshman shortstop Reid Leonard connected on two hits each, part of a seven-hit day for the visitors. Prior to the eighth inning, the only two hits Leasher had allowed were an infield single and a looping double that landed just inside the left field line.
 
The teams will play the finale of the series at 2 p.m. ET Sunday.