After many multiple run innings the ‘Breds fell 14-11 to Jacksonville State.
The game produced a high number of hits for both teams and Murray State out hit the Gamecocks 19-18. Every player in the lineup for Murray State had at least one hit. However the ‘Breds could not overcome a strong eighth inning for their opponents.
“The biggest thing was that we did not make some plays on the field that we usually make,” Rob McDonald, head coach said. “We gave them a few to many outs a few to many times.”
The ‘Breds put up scores in every inning except for three, the most coming in the fifth inning with four recorded. The inning began with a lead off homerun from Senior Mike Kozlowski. This is his second homerun of the season.
Senior Noah Zipko was up to bat next. He doubled to center and then advanced to third after a single from senior Dylan Wheeler. Zipko scored and Wheeler advanced to second on a RBI single hit by freshman Taylor Mathews.
Junior Nick Paradossi singled toward the third base line. A throwing error by Jacksonville State pitcher Graham Officer advanced Mathews to third and Wheeler scored. Senior Paul Ritzheimer grounded into a double play but not before Mathews scored.
Zipko went 4-5 hit three doubles and two RBIs. His first strike out came in the eighth inning. Senior Ty Stetson and Paradossi both had three hits, while junior Brandon Eggenschwiler, Wheeler and Paradossi had two hits.
“(Zipko) saw the ball well and had some really good swings,” he said. “Overall he had a real nice day.”
Sophomore Brock Downey entered the game from the bullpen and took the loss. He allowed eight runs and seven hits in four innings of work. Starting pitcher Cameron Finch started off strong with good control of his pitches. However after 4.2 innings of work he let 11 hits and eight runs get away from him.
“Cameron Finch pitched well,” McDonald said. “I thought he deserved a better result than what he got. Brock Downey then came in and pitched well. I just feel like it was a tough day for the pitchers as far as the results. We gave up a lot of hits but there weren’t a lot of balls that were hit particularly hard.”
The ‘Breds and the Gamecocks will face each other again Saturday at 2 p.m.
Story by Jaci Kohn, Sports Editor.