MOREHEAD, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball Colonels pounded out 20 hits Sunday on their way to a 17-7 victory over the Morehead State Eagles in the deciding game of this weekend’s three game series. With the win, the Colonels improve to 11-10-1 (4-2 OVC), while the Eagles drop to 7-16 (1-5 OVC).
“Our guys showed a lot of character today,” head coach Elvis Dominguez said. “They started swinging their bats, and because of that they bounced back from yesterday’s disappointing loss.”
Trailing 2-0 heading into the top of the third, the Colonels got on the board when sophomore Anthony Ottrando drilled an RBI single up the middle, plating junior Aaron Barrows.
EKU would take the lead in the top of the fifth when senior Clint Seymour, mired in an early season slump, powered a two-out, bases-loaded double down the right field line, scoring two and giving the Colonels a 3-2 lead.
The Eagles tied it up with a run in their half of the fifth; however, the Colonel bats stayed hot into the sixth. In the top of the sixth, freshman Ryan Faidley led off with a double to right center and was later driven in on an RBI double by Barrows. Two batters later, Barrows was brought home on an RBI fielder’s choice from junior Dylan McMaine.
Powered by the bats of Barrows, Ottrando and Faidley, the Colonels would score 12 runs in the last three innings to seal it.
Junior Chris Grider started for the Colonels and got a no decision, going four and a third innings and allowing three runs on just three hits. Senior Michael Mulholland (3-1) pitched a scoreless two thirds of an inning for the win. Junior David Owens spelled Mulholland in the sixth and retired two batters. Freshman Paul Duncan then pitched two thirds of an inning and allowed three runs on two hits. Sophomore Chris Hord pitched the seventh and allowed no runs on one hit. Freshman Michael Martinez pitched a perfect eighth, and then gave way to freshman Patrick Cooper who wrapped it up in the ninth, allowing one run on one hit.
Michael Fahs (0-1) picked up the loss for Morehead.
At the plate, EKU was led by a host of players. Barrows went 4-for-6 with three doubles, two RBI and three runs scored. Ottrando also smacked four hits, going 4-for-6 with four RBI and a run scored. Faidley went 3-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored, and Seymour went 3-for-5 with four RBI and three runs scored.
The Colonels return to action this Wednesday, April 3, when they host in-state rival Georgetown College at Turkey Hughes Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
