GAME ONE: BOX SCORE PDF | BOX SCORE HTML
GAME TWO: BOX SCORE PDF | BOX SCORE HTML
MOREHEAD, Ky. -- The Morehead State baseball team split Saturday afternoon's doubleheader against Miami (Ohio) at Allen Field. The Eagles fell in game one, 16-3, and withstood a late rally by the Redhawks in game two to prevail, 8-7.
In the first game, MSU (3-16) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning. Third baseman Andrew Deeds reached base and andvanced all the way to third on a Miami fielding error. An RBI double by Michael Fear brought Deeds home from third and a Luke Bainer double into left field drove in Fear.
The Miami offense exploded in the third, driving in eight runs off MSU starter Trey Smith. Smith took the loss, his fourth of the season, allowing 11 total runs and pitching 3.1 innings.
The Redhawks continued to generate runs, scoring four in the fourth, one in the fifth and three more in the final two innings. Three Miami batters recorded three-RBI performances, including outfielder Marcus Makuch who went 4-for-5 in game one.
Miami starter Mac Thoreson pitched well tossing 6.2 innings and allowing two unearned runs. Trey Smith took the loss (0-4), allowing 11 runs on nine hits.
MSU scored one final run in the bottom of the ninth inning off a fielder's choice.
Right fielder Luke Bainer went 3-for-4 in game one and drove in a run.
Game two was a different story for the Eagles as the offense jumped on Miami ace Tyler Melling.
MSU scored two runs in the second inning to answer the quick-strike Miami offense.
Melling pitched only three innings, allowed six earned runs and was saddled with his first loss of the season.
A Fear double and Luke Bainer single drove in the Eagle runs in the second giving MSU the lead, 2-1.
Morehead State followed the second inning with two-run third and fourth innings to give the Eagles a 6-1 lead. The Deeds and Bainer tandem struck again in the third inning with each bringing home another run, Deeds' on a sacrifice fly and Bainer's on a ground out.
Freshman Ryan Conner led off the fourth with his first home run of the season, a bomb to deep left field. Deeds drove in the second run of the inning on an RBI single past a diving third baseman.
The Redhawk bats struck back, scoring six runs in the final five innings. First baseman Kyle Weldon went 3-for-4 with two RBI in game two.
Miami tied the game at seven in the eighth inning on a home run to deep center off reliever Cody Gibson. Gibson overcame the early trouble and struck out the next two batters before retiring the side on a fly ball to centerfield.
In the bottom of the eighth the Eagle offense conjured up the go-ahead run beginning with a single by shortstop Austin Haney. Haney advanced to second on a ground out by senior Travis Redmon and scored from second base on an RBI single by third baseman Taylor Davis.
Gibson earned the win for MSU, his first of the season and reliever Matt Cartwright took the save tossing a scoreless ninth inning, his second of the year.
Deeds and Luke Bainer both drove in two of the Eagles eight runs.
Morehead State returns to Allen Field Sunday for the rubber match against Miami beginning at 1 p.m.
