MARTIN, Tenn. -- After falling behind early, the Morehead State baseball team rallied for a four-run second inning on Saturday before leading the rest of the way to even the series vs. UT Martin.Â
Junior Grant Herron (5-1) started on the mound and picked up the win for Morehead State (26-15, 10-4 OVC). The right-hander went 5.1 innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on five hits, allowing two walks and striking out three. Senior Matt Bettio also made an impact on the mound for the Eagles, throwing two shutout innings while allowing two hits, with no walks and three strikeouts.
Jackson Feltner led the way offensively for the Eagles, going 3-for-4 in the ballgame with a double, a triple and three RBI, finishing a home run away from the cycle. Senior Chase Vinson compiled a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 2-for-5 with an RBI. Carter Owens also contributed, going 1-for-2 for Morehead State with two RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 1-0, the Eagles first put runs on the board in the second inning. Morehead State's offense started clicking and put up four runs, including a two-run double off the bat of Feltner.
The Skyhawks then gained ground, narrowing the lead to 4-2 until the Eagles expanded their advantage in the fourth. Morehead State scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Feltner, which brought the Eagles lead to 5-2.
UT Martin narrowed Morehead State's lead to 5-3 before the Eagles stretched the advantage to 6-3 in the seventh inning. The Eagles scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Nick Gooden.
Morehead State kept the Skyhawks scoreless before their offense got back in action the next inning. The three-run frame for the Eagles was puncuated by a two-run single off the bat of Owens. bringing the Morehead State advantage to 9-3. The score remained 9-3 for the rest of the game, as the Eagles coasted to the win.
GAME NOTES
» Morehead State's highest scoring inning was the second, when it pushed four runs across.
» The Eagles had control of the rest of the game after moving ahead of the Skyhawks 4-1 in the top of the second.
» The Eagles out-hit the Skyhawks at a 13-11 clip.
» Morehead State went 7-for-15 (.467) with runners in scoring position.
» Morehead State pitchers faced 39 UT Martin hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out six.
» Feltner led the Eagles at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double, a triple and three RBI.
Sunday's rubber match is set for a 2:00 p.m. ET start as Luke Helton takes the ball in the finale.
