March 1, 2008

Box Score

THIBODAUX, La. - The Colonels commited five errors and walked three lead-off batters, each of whom came around to score, to fall 8-1 to Murray State Saturday afternoon at Ray E. Didier Field.

The Thoroughbreds (3-3) managed just seven hits, but scored six unearned runs in the game for the 'W'.

Jake Donze (1-1) got the win for Murray State, going seven innings with four strikeouts and one walk. For the Colonels, Ryan Harding (0-2) took the loss, facing just nine batters and giving up five runs (all unearned).

"We didn't show up to play today," said assistant coach Seth Thibodeaux. "They got the hits and we didn't. We walked a lot of people and they didn't."

Anthony Wray extended his early-season hitting streak to five games, going 2-for-4 with two lead-off singles for the Colonels. Wray scored Nicholls' only run of the game on an infield single by Brandt Boudreaux in the Colonel half of the seventh.

Kevin Persick, Patrick Thompson and Boudreaux each recorded a hit for the Colonels. Persick's one-out, pinch-hit single up the middle in the bottom of the ninth gave the Colonels a last-ditch chance at a baserunner, but he was put out on a fielder's choice on the next play.

The Colonel bullpen saw strong performances from Patrick Juban, Lance Guidroz and Joe Hagerty, who struck out a combined five batters and walked just two in eight innings of relief.

For Murray State, Elliot Frey went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, driving in two RBI.

"We're not going to win a lot of baseball games playing like that," addd Thibodeaux. But these guys know that and they have to come out prepared tomorrow and get the win."

The teams will meet for the final time in Sunday's rubber match. Lance Dupuis (0-0) is expected to take the mound for the Colonels with first pitch slated for 1 p.m.

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