EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- Preseason OVC Pitcher of the Year John Bakke lived up to the hype in the Morehead State baseball team's conference opener on Saturday, striking out eight Screaming Eagles in the 3-2 win over Southern Indiana.
In addition to his eight strikeouts, Bakke (2-2) went seven shutout innings while giving up just one hit and walking four for Morehead State (11-10, 1-0).
Jackson Feltner led the way offensively for the Eagles, going 2-for-3 in the ballgame with a double, a walk and an RBI. Freshman Carter Owens provided a standout performance at the plate as well, going 1-for-3 with a triple. Roman Kuntz also contributed, going 2-for-4 for Morehead State with a double.
HOW IT HAPPENED
A three spot in the third inning proved to be enough for Morehead State in the win. Carter Owens smashed a triple into the gap in right center and scored on a wild pitch. Ryley Preece drew a walk soon after and came around to score on a double from Jackson Feltner (his 20th RBI of the season). Feltner would then score on a sacrifice fly from Colton Becker, capping the three-run third. Southern Indiana pushed across a run in the eighth and ninth, but Jarrett Miller stranded the tying run at third base with a strikeout to end the ballgame.
GAME NOTES
» The Eagles out-hit the Screaming Eagles at a 7-5 clip.
» Morehead State pitchers limited Southern Indiana to just 1-for-9 (.111) with runners in scoring position.
» Morehead State pitchers faced 37 Southern Indiana hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out 10.
» MSU turned a double play in the win.
