RICHMOND, Ky. -- Record: Broken.
Ryley Preece's 9th inning, three-run home run marked the 50th of his historic career, setting the new program record as the Morehead State baseball team powered its way past EKU 14-7 on Tuesday.
Sophomore Carter Owens (2-0) got the win out of the bullpen for Morehead State (12-9). The right-hander went 3.1 innings, giving up one run on three hits, allowing no walks and striking out five. Sophomore Josh Furtado also pitched well, going one shutout inning without allowing a hit, walking none and striking out two.
Preece's two extra base hits were the highlight of a 3-for-5 day, and included a double, a home run and six RBI. Ryan Grabosch made his contribution with a double, a home run and three RBI, part of a 2-for-5 performance at the plate. Isaias Guzman also contributed for the Eagles, putting together two hits in five trips to the plate while adding a home run and 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 seven runs, including a two-run double off the bat of senior Gabriel Sepulveda and a two-run home run from Guzman.
The Colonels then gained ground, narrowing the lead to 7-4 until the Eagles expanded their advantage in the fourth. Morehead State scored twice on Grabosch's two-run homer, which brought the score to 9-4 in favor of the Eagles.
Eastern Kentucky narrowed Morehead State's lead to 9-5 before the Eagles stretched the advantage to 10-5 in the fifth inning. The Eagles recorded a run on Preece's two-out RBI double.
The Colonels gained ground, closing the gap to 10-6 until Morehead State added some insurance in the seventh. Guzman crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Eagles, bringing the Morehead State advantage to 11-6.
The Eagles held Eastern Kentucky off the board before expanding their lead to 14-6 in the ninth inning. Morehead State scored three runs, all of them coming on a three-run homer off the bat of Preece, scoring freshman Davis Germann and freshman Hayden Robbins. Eastern Kentucky put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Eagles still coasted to the 14-7 win.
GAME NOTES
» Morehead State got three-hit games from both Preece and Sepulveda.
» Owens struck out five Colonels hitters.
» The Eagles had both Grabosch and Preece smack multiple extra-base hits in the ballgame.
» Preece drove in six runs for Morehead State.
» Every Morehead State starter reached base safely in the win.
» The Morehead State pitching staff combined to strike out 13 Eastern Kentucky hitters.
» Morehead State's highest scoring inning was the second, when it pushed seven runs across.
» The Eagles had control of the rest of the game after moving ahead of the Colonels 7-3 in the top of the second.
» Five Eagles had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» Morehead State hitters hit three dingers in the ballgame.
» The Eagles out-hit the Colonels at a 14-12 clip.
» Morehead State went 5-for-13 (.385) with runners in scoring position.
» Morehead State pitchers faced 46 Eastern Kentucky hitters in the game, allowing two ground balls and 12 fly balls while striking out 13.
» The Eagles drew four walks from Eastern Kentucky pitching.
» Preece led the Eagles at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a double, a home run and six RBI.
Morehead State is back in action this weekend, opening conference play at Little Rock.
