The Murray State offense pounded out 22 hits and drove in 19 runs as the Breds picked up their first victory of the season, 19-2, over Mid-Continent in the 2013 home opener Tuesday afternoon at Johnny Reagan Field.
All nine members of the starting lineup collected at least one hit, with shortstop Noah Zipko leading the way by going 4-for-5 with an RBI and four runs scored. Mike Kozlowski with 3-for-5 with four RBIs and three runs scored, while Brandon Eggenschwiler went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and Paul Ritzheimer 3-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs scored.
In addition to the starters, Ben Lott and Pokey Harris each added RBI base hits.
The Breds (1-3) got on the board in the first inning as Ty Stetson and Brandon Elliott walked to start the inning. After a sacrifice bunt moved both runners, Kozlowski drove in the runner from third with a groundout to third.
The fourth inning saw the lead extend to 5-0 as Dalton West collected his first collegiate hit and RBI with a single off the glove of the first baseman. Later in the inning, Zipko delivered an RBI single through the left side, and when the ball was bobbled in left field, West raced home third with the second run. Ritzheimer followed with a single through the left side, and Elliott came up two batters later and delivered a two-run double to right center.
The Cougars (3-4) got on the board in the fifth as Hunter Bolden hit a solo home run down the right-field line.
The game was broken wide open in the sixth as the Breds loaded the bases with a single, hit by pitch and a walk. Elliott blooped a ball into shallow right field that resulted in an RBI fielder’s choice. With two outs, Kozlowski plated two runs with a double down the right-field line, and was followed by an Eggenschwiler RBI double into the gap in right center.
The seventh inning saw the Breds send 14 hitters to the plate, collecting 10 hits and scoring nine runs. The inning started with a Zipko double and Ritzheimer single with one out. Stetson delivered an RBI single off the leg of the pitcher, and Lott followed with a pinch-hit RBI single to center. Kozlowski drew a bases loaded walk ahead of Eggenschwiler’s two-run single to left. Taylor Mathews finally joined the hit parade with a run-scoring single through the right side. Ritzheimer’s second at-bat of the inning was a two-run double just inside the bag at third, and Harris followed with an RBI single into the hole at short.
MCU was able to scratch another run across in the eighth on a Micah Rainwater RBI single through the right side.
Right hander Tim Vonder Haar (1-0) was impressive in his first start as he allowed just one run on nine hits over six innings. He struck out a career-best seven and did not walk a batter. He was able to get out of a pair of one-out bases-loaded jams by enticing a pair of double-play groundouts. All in all, the Breds defense turned three inning-ending double plays.
Cody Maerz made his Breds debut in the ninth and needed only nine pitches, eight strikes, to get a pair of strikeouts and a groundout to end the game.
Cory Ames (0-1) took the loss for the Cougars after allowing one run on no hits and two walks in just one inning of work.
The Breds return to action Thursday evening as they welcome Central Michigan to Reagan Field. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
Story courtesy of Sports Information.