MARTIN, Tenn. -- The Morehead State baseball team fell behind early on Friday before rallying back to tie the game in the sixth inning, but six late runs from UT Martin proved to be too much to overcome for the Eagles as they fell in the series opener 13-9.Â
Sophomore Will Grimmett (2-1) came out of the bullpen for Morehead State (25-15, 9-4) and took the loss. Senior Matt Bettio was a bright spot for the Eagles, coming out of the bullpen as well and throwing two innings, giving up one run on three hits.
In addition to his three hits, Vinson had a home run, a walk and an RBI to lead the Eagles. Junior Jackson Feltner added a home run and an RBI to his three-hit performance as well. Kuntz also chipped in for Morehead State, putting together three hits in five trips to the plate while adding a home run and two RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Eagles got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. Morehead State scratched across a run when Nick Gooden's triple scored Ryley Preece.
The Skyhawks failed to push any runs across before the Eagles offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. Morehead State picked up a run on Vinson's leadoff home run, which brought the Eagles lead to 2-0.
Morehead State's lead had disappeared by the time the sixth inning came around and turned into a 7-2 UT Martin advantage, when the Eagles tied up the game at seven. The Eagles bats heated up in the inning, scoring five runs, including an RBIÂ single off the bat of Kuntz.
The Skyhawks broke the tie and took the lead heading into the eighth inning, when Morehead State got back on the board. The Eagles scored twice on back-to-back home runs from Feltner and Kuntz, tightening the UT Martin lead to 13-9. The Eagles were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.
GAME NOTES
» The Eagles got three-hit games from three different hitters.
» Morehead State's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed five runs across.
» The Eagles took UT Martin pitchers deep three times on Friday.
» Morehead State batters had a total of 15 hits in the game.
» Morehead State left 11 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» Morehead State pitchers faced 44 UT Martin hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out eight.
» The Eagles drew five walks from UT Martin pitching.
Morehead State is back in action Saturday, with Grant Herron taking the ball as the Eagles look to even up the series in the second game. First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m. ET..
