Baseball Comes Up Short in Series Opener at UT Martin, 1-0

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MARTIN, Tenn. -- Despite allowing just one run in its series opener at UT Martin Friday night, the Morehead State baseball offense could not back up its pitching staff as the Eagles dropped a 1-0 contest to the Skyhawks.

Morehead State, which has still won 17 of its last 20 games, fell for the second straight outing and dipped to 8-2 in the OVC and 22-8 overall. The host team moved to 10-16 overall and 2-11 in the league.

"We really didn't have a great approach at the plate all night, and we have to get back to what we do best," said head coach Mike McGuire. "We are at our best when we use the whole field, and I think we hit five opposite-field balls all night. That just won't be a recipe for success"

Junior pitcher Aaron Leasher struck out seven and only surrendered a two-out run in the fourth, but Skyhawks starter Winston Cannon stymied MSU's offense all night and went seven innings of two-hit ball. Alex Evans came on and got the final six outs for his third save.

The Eagle bullpen didn't allow a run again tonight, with freshman Jake Zielgelmeyer, senior Cable Wright and junior David Calderon combining for six outs of scoreless ball.

"We pitched great, and it's unfortunate someone had to get a loss. Aaron really pitched well, but for whatever reason we really didn't have a quality at-bat all night. We had chances, we got some free bases, and it's unfortunate because we pitched well enough to win."

UTM centerfielder Creighton Eldridge out-hit the Eagles, garnering three base knocks. He drove in the game's only run with a triple in the fourth.

Morehead State runners in scoring position in the third and fourth frames and had perhaps its best chance in the eighth. A walk to junior third baseman Eli Boggess and a hit-by-pitch drawn by senior centerfielder Ryan Kent had two runners on with one out. A ground out pushed the two into scoring position, but Evans struck out the final batter.

Sophomore DH Trevor Snyder and junior second baseman Braxton Morris had the hits, both singles. Sophomore Niko Hulsizer drew two walks, increasing his reached-base streak to 14 games.

The teams will continue the series on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.