RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball Colonels fell to Marshall University, 9-3 and 4-2, Tuesday in a doubleheader at Turkey Hughes Field. With the losses, the Colonels fall below .500 for only the second time this year at 15-16-1, while the Thundering Herd of Marshall improve their record to 16-19-1.

Trailing 1-0 going into the fourth inning of game one, the Colonels scored two in their half to take the lead. Marshall reliever Brian Moore walked senior Clint Seymour with the bases loaded to score the first run, and senior Tyler Barnett plated the second with a sacrifice fly to left.

In the top of the fifth, however, the Thundering Herd – helped along by costly errors and walks – scored five runs. They added one more in the sixth, and two more in the seventh to pull away for good.

Junior Matt Davis blasted an RBI triple in the bottom of the seventh to pull the Colonels within six, however, it was not enough.

Junior Chris Grider (2-2) got the loss for the Colonels, going four and a third innings and allowing three runs on only two hits. He also struck out three batters. Senior Michael Mulholland spelled Grider in the fifth and walked the only two batters he saw. Junior David Owens pitched the remaining innings for the Colonels, giving up four runs (only three of them earned) on six hits.

Moore (1-0) received the win for Marshall.

Game two was similar to the first. EKU was tied with Marshall until the fifth inning when the Thundering Herd tacked on two runs in their half that proved to be the difference.

Trailing 2-1 heading into the bottom of the third, the Colonels tied it off a two-out RBI single to center by junior Dylan McMaine that scored freshman Ryan Faidley.

In the top of the fifth, however, the Thundering Herd opened the inning with three consecutive singles and a run off Colonel starter Eric Hash before he was replaced by sophomore Chris Hord. Hord retired the next three batters he faced, although one of them was able to bring in a run with a sacrifice fly.

Trailing 4-2 after that inning, the Colonels would not score again.

Hash (0-3) took the loss for the Colonels, going four innings and allowing four runs on nine hits. Hord pitched the last three innings and did not allow a run or a hit.

Ryan Kiel (2-1) got the win for Marshall.

The Colonels return to action tomorrow, April 16, when they host the Saints of Thomas More College at Turkey Hughes Field. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m.