Baseball Drops Slugfest, 11-10

Sunday, March 6

Reese Smith Field

1:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

Southeastern Louisiana

3/6/2005 4:31:00 PM | Baseball

By: MT Media Relations

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Southeastern Louisiana scored early and often and took advantage of six Middle Tennessee errors to salvage the final game of a three-game series, 11-10, Sunday at Reese Smith Field. The visiting Lions (6-8), who ended a five-game losing streak overall to the Blue Raiders, scored seven runs in the first two innings and never lost the lead in the game, adding to the advantage each time Middle Tennessee would close the gap. The game featured 22 hits, including eight for extra bases, ending Middle Tennessee's four-game winning streak. SLU catcher Rob Territo went 4-for-5 with two RBIs in the game, including a two-run double in the ninth that proved to be the winning runs. SLU got two runs in the top of the first on just one hit, aided by two walks and two errors. Gary Duhe and Steve Clevenger both walked and Randy Roth plated a run with a single to leftcenter. With runners on the corners, a pickoff throw to first was dropped by Adam Darby, allowing Clevenger to score from third. The Blue Raiders (5-3) scored two runs of their own in the bottom of the first, with Eric McNamee drawing a leadoff walk and Nathan Hines hit by the pitch. A groundout moved the runners up before Marcus Taylor's single to left plated both runs to tie the contest. The Lions added five more runs in the second, sending nine batters to the plate in the inning. A throwing error by Nate Jaggers started the trouble, followed by singles from Territo and Jason Waguespack to load the bases. A Duhe single scored one run before Kyle Ginn's double down the leftfield line plated two more runs. A groundout and a sacrifice fly plated the final two runs of the inning for a 7-2 SLU advantage. Middle Tennessee scored once in the second when McNamee plated Jeff Beachum on a double to rightcenter, and added two more runs in the third, one of a sacrifice fly from Beachum and another when Adam Warren broke from first and stayed in a run-down long enough for Adam Darby to score. SLU added a run in the fourth when Clevenger reached on a fielder's choice. Roth followed with chopper in the hole on the leftside. Beachum's throw to first was low and got by Darby at first, allowing the runner to move to third, before Darby overthrew the catcher at the plate, allowing Clevenger to score for an 8-5 Lions lead. The Blue Raiders cut into the lead in the sixth with two runs. Beachum led off with a single and Michael McKenry doubled home a run. Pinch-hitter Wayne Kendrick scored McKenry with a single to center, making it 8-7 SLU. But the Lions came back with a run in the seventh, thanks to a two walks and a single to left by Jason Waguespack. Josh Archer's first home run of the season, a solo shot, in the bottom of the seventh made it a one-run game again, 9-8. The Lions added two runs in the top of the ninth with doubles from Ryan Spencer and Territo sandwiched around a walk for an 11-8 advantage. Middle Tennessee made it interesting in the ninth with a leadoff walk to Doug Birkofer and a two-run homer from Jaggers, but Taylor struck out and Archer grounded out to end the contest. Chad Pendarvis (1-0), the second of five SLU hurlers, got the win, going four-plus innings and allowing four runs on six hits. Lions starter Risley St. Germain got just four outs, giving up three runs. Brandon Carlton worked into the ninth before Jeremy Mizell got the final two outs for his first save of the season despite giving up the home run to Jaggers. Middle Tennessee starter Jeff Kasser (0-1) took the loss, giving up eight runs, five earned, in 3.2 innings. Jimmy Kelly also worked 3.2 innings, giving up two runs on two hits. Jaggers was 3-for-5 with two RBIs, while McNamee had a pair of doubles and Taylor drove in two runs. Middle Tennessee heads to Memphis for two games, Tuesday and Wednesday, starting at 4 p.m. both days. The Blue Raiders return home next weekend with a three-game series against Jacksonville State starting Friday.