RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team produced only three runs in two games Saturday as they fell to conference foe Murray State, 6-0 and 7-3, in a doubleheader. With the losses, the Colonels drop to 16-18-1 (7-7 OVC), while the Thoroughbreds improve to 14-18 (5-8 OVC).

Game one saw the Thoroughbreds score three runs in the third inning. The rally started when center fielder Zach Noonan ripped a two run single up the middle with the bases load. Designated hitter Wes Cunningham then singled through the right side of the infield, plating another run and making it 3-0.

Murray State would add runs in the sixth, eighth and ninth, while the Colonels failed to produce any offensive rallies.

Senior Mckenzie Willoughby (1-3) got the loss for the Colonels, going seven innings and allowing four runs (only three earned) on five hits. Freshman Paul Duncan pitched the final two innings, giving up two runs on three hits.

Mike Perconte (2-4) pitched a complete game shutout for the Thoroughbreds, allowing eight hits and walking only one batter.

The Colonels were led offensively in game one by juniors Aaron Barrows and Matt Davis. Both batted 2-for-4.

In game two, Murray State took another early 3-0 lead; however, the Colonels got one back in the bottom of the second, and another back in the bottom of the third. In the second, junior Dylan McMaine scored on an RBI groundout by senior Tyler Barnett. In the third, sophomore Anthony Ottrando was driven in on an RBI groundout by junior Tyler Rehmel.

Leading only 3-2, Murray State, however, would rally for one in the fourth, two in the fifth, and one in the sixth to pull away from the Colonels again. McMaine would plate Barrows in the seventh with a single through the right side of the infield, but that would be all for the Colonels.

Freshman Patrick Cooper (1-3) took the loss for EKU, going five innings and allowing six runs (only four earned) on six hits. He also struck out six batters. Junior David Owens came on in the sixth and pitched the last two innings, allowing one run on two hits.

Daniel Calhoun (3-2) pitched another complete game for Murray State, allowing three runs (two earned) on nine hits and seven strikeouts.

Offensively, the Colonels were led by Barrows, who went 2-for-4 with a run scored, and McMaine, who went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.

The Baseball Colonels return to action tomorrow when they take on Murray State in the final game of this weekend’s series. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.