COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Morehead State baseball got a strong performance out of senior Ryley Preece, who recorded two extra base hits in a 13-7 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes Wednesday.
Freshman Bradley Poynter (1-1) got the ball to start for Morehead State (17-15) and took the loss. Sophomore Hunter Porter was a bright spot for the Eagles, coming out of the bullpen and throwing one scoreless inning, allowing no hits, with no walks and three strikeouts.
Preece's two extra base hits were the highlight of a 2-for-3 day, and included a double, a home run, a walk and an RBI. Roman Kuntz put together a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 1-for-4 with his OVC best 16th home run and two RBI, moving his total to 44 on the season -- also first in the OVC. Senior Logan Castleman also contributed for the Eagles, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding two RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Eagles got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with two runs in the top of the first inning. Morehead State plated two runs when Kuntz left the yard with Nick Gooden aboard.
The Eagles lost the lead they built in the first, but got back on the board in the third trailing 5-2. Preece came across to score the lone run of the inning for Morehead State, which tightened the Buckeyes lead to 5-3.
Ohio State expanded their lead to 7-3 before the Morehead State offense got back in action, reducing that lead to 7-6 in the fifth. The Eagles recorded three runs in the frame, two of them coming across on a two-run single off the bat of Castleman.
The Buckeyes expanded their lead to 13-6 before the Morehead State offense got back in gear, cutting into that lead in the ninth. The Eagles drove in a run on Preece's two-out solo homer off junior Noah Williamson, tightening the Ohio State lead to 13-7. The ballgame ended with that ninth inning rally falling short.
GAME NOTES
» Morehead State's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed three runs across.
» Morehead State went 2-for-6 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Morehead State pitchers faced 43 Ohio State hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out five.
» The Eagles drew five walks from Ohio State pitching.
UP NEXT
Morehead State hosts Western Illinois in a three-game set in conference play, beginning on Friday.
