Morehead, Ky. -- Morehead State never saw a lead until a big blast in the top of the ninth inning, but the Eagles ultimately fell to Southern Indiana 6-4 at USI Baseball Field in Evansville, Ind., Monday afternoon.
Trailing 3-1 heading into the top of the ninth inning, Morehead State got a leadoff single by
Kadin Ray. Making just his second start and third appearance on the season, Ray led the MSU attack with three hits in four at-bats and an RBI.
After a ground ball out and a fielder's choice, catcher
Hunter Thomas drew a two-out walk to put runners on first and second. Left fielder
Davis Germann lined an 0-1 pitch over the fence in left field to give the Eagles the lead 4-3.
The celebration was short-lived, however. USI outfielder Patrick McLellan walked it off with a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth to give the Screaming Eagles the victory and a series sweep over MSU.
After spotting the Screaming Eagles a run in the bottom of the first inning without giving up a hit, Morehead State (10-19/ 1-8 OVC) evened it up in the second inning when
JJ Dutton drew a two-out walk.
Dutton advanced to third on an
Eli Kirkendoll single and was driven home by Ray's single to center field. Dutton rapped out two hits, including his fourth double of the season.
Southern Indiana (16-15/ 7-2 OVC) got two unearned runs in the bottom of the second to get the lead back 3-1.
The Eagles threatened USI with two-out rallies in both the fourth and fifth innings; but both innings resulted in two runners left stranded.
Junior
Josh Furtado (2-1) took the loss for Morehead State. The Eagles got a strong outing from freshman starter
Kamden Hawks. Â He threw six innings, scattering six hits and allowed three runs (just one earned). He walked three and hit two USI batters in his longest outing of the season.
The Eagles also got a solid outing from freshman
Landon Waugh out of the bullpen. He threw two no-hit innings, walking one and recording two strikeouts.
Southern Indiana starter Jake Porter pitched six innings, allowing one earned run on eight MSU hits. He walked one and struck out four. USI's Ian Anderson (3-0) got the win, giving him a win and a save on the weekend.
Morehead State returns to play on Wednesday as they travel to long-standing rival Eastern Kentucky. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET.
NOTABLE
- Morehead State out-hit USI 12-9. Both teams left nine runners on base.
- MSU's defense committed six errors in the series with Southern Indiana.
- Shortstop Andy Cisneros extended his hit streak to five games. He's also hit safely in six of the Eagles' last seven games.
- JJ Dutton extended his hit streak to eight games with his double down the right field line in the sixth inning. He's hit safely in 14 of the last 15 games. Dutton finished with two hits on the day, his seventh multi-hit game of the season.
- Freshman Caden Sheridan extended his hit streak to six games. He's hit safely in nine of the last 11 games. He played at second base; his fourth defensive position of the season.
