BOX SCORE
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – Despite collecting eight hits at the plate and eight strikeouts on the mound, Morehead State baseball couldn't overcome an early scoring effort from Michigan State in the team's 2020 season opener.
The Spartans (1-0) jumped out to an early lead and didn't look back, downing the Eagles (0-1) by collecting 15 runs on 22 hits while permitting just three runs on eight hits.
Morehead State and Michigan State continue their series tomorrow afternoon with a twin billing. Game one between the two foes is set for 12 p.m. ET while game two is scheduled for 3 p.m. Redshirt juniors, righty
Alex Garbrick and southpaw
Cory Conway are slated to start the two games of tomorrow's doubleheader.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Michigan State got things started in the first inning thanks to an RBI single by second baseman Bailey Peterson which scored first baseman Peter Ahn who reached via a double.
The Spartans added four more runs in the second as Ahn (two RBI), left fielder Bryce Kelley, and Peterson drove in runs.
Morehead State began its scoring as junior backstop Jack Gardner—who was hit by a pitch—scored thanks to a throwing error by Spartan pitcher Mason Erla that bounced off the glove of Ahn, bounding into right field following a high chopping base hit by redshirt junior shortstop Logan Goodnight.
Michigan State added two additional runs in the third as Ahn and Kelley collected another RBI apiece before right fielder Jack Frank doubled home a run in the fourth.
The Spartans collected seven more runs during the fifth and sixth frames thanks in large part to three RBI doubles during the two frames.
Morehead State plated two runs in the top of the ninth as junior right fielder Peyton Dillingham drove home senior Jon Burghardt and redshirt freshman Tim Petrucelli who doubled and walked, respectively.
NOTABLE
Three Eagles put together multi-hit efforts in the opener with Burghardt collecting the seventh of his career while Dillingham and Goodnight collected the first of their Morehead State career. With two runs batted in, Dillingham also registered the first multi-RBI effort of his Eagle tenure.
Dillingham, Goodnight, and redshirt freshman Bryce Ray each collected their first hits in an Eagle uniform while freshman Matt Bettio struck out the first batter he faced in his first collegiate appearance.
Morehead State collected two outfield assists in the season opener as Ray and senior Ryan Layne each cut down a Spartan at the plate, giving the Eagles their first outfield assists since May 17, 2019.
Tossing 2.0 scoreless innings, sophomore Zack Smith put together another scoreless outing Friday as he registered the 10th scoreless outing in 18 career appearances.
