FLORENCE, AL -- Luke Helton was dominant on Friday, fanning eight North Alabama hitters over six innings of work to help power the Morehead State Eagles past the North Alabama Lions 5-2 in the series opener.
In addition to his eight strikeouts, Helton (2-0) threw six innings, giving up one run on four hits and walking none for Morehead State (3-2). Sophomore Carter Owens also made an impact on the mound for the Eagles, throwing 1.1 scoreless innings while allowing no hits, with no walks and two strikeouts. Will Grimmett picked up his second save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning.
Senior Ryley Preece led the way offensively for the Eagles, going 2-for-4 in the ballgame with a home run, a walk and two RBI. Isaias Guzman provided a standout performance at the plate as well, going 1-for-4 with two RBI. Senior Roman Kuntz also contributed, going 1-for-2 for Morehead State with a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Eagles were trailing 1-0 in the third inning when they first put runs on the board. Morehead State scored three runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Guzman.
The Lions failed to push any runs across before the Eagles offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. Morehead State scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Preece, which brought the Eagles lead to 4-1.
North Alabama narrowed Morehead State's lead to 4-2 before the Eagles stretched the advantage to 5-2 in the ninth inning. The Eagles added a run on Preece's two-out solo home run off junior Brycen Parrish. The score remained 5-2 for the rest of the game, as Morehead State held on for the win.
GAME NOTES
» Helton struck out eight Lions hitters.
» Morehead State's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed three runs across.
» Morehead State took the lead at 3-1 in the top half of the third and never lost that advantage.
» The Eagles out-hit the Lions at an 8-5 clip.
» Morehead State went 3-for-7 (.429) with runners in scoring position.
» Morehead State pitchers limited North Alabama to just 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
» Morehead State pitchers faced 35 North Alabama hitters in the game, allowing 11 ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out 10.
» Preece led the Eagles at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.
Morehead State goes for the series victory tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. ET, as Grant Herron takes the ball for the Eagles.
