Life in the Valley

Belmont Beats Neighborhood Rival Lipscomb; MSU falls to K-State

Everyone can use a helping hand, or so they say. Needing a win in the worst way Wednesday night at Southern Indiana, Murray State found its trusty bats again and got some gifts from the USI defense in a 13-6 victory.

Caron Garner homered and went 3-for-6 with 2 runs and 3 RBIs in the win, which snapped a 4-game losing streak that had seen the opponent score in double figures each time, including USI in Tuesday’s victory at Murray.

But on Wednesday, the Screaming Eagles came as close to double figures in errors as they did in runs. Six USI errors led to 8 unearned Murray State runs, enough to sink any team. Combine that with USI pitchers issuing 10 walks, a stellar relief performance from Murray’s Malik Pogue and a 14-hit attack by the Racers, and victory was finally on the cards again for Murray (19-10). Pogue pitched 4 1/3 innings, and 9 of the 13 outs he recorded were strikeouts. He gave up 1 run on 5 hits with 3 walks on 93 pitches. Allen Roulette worked the final 2 1/3 innings to get the save.

Garner and Howell started the scoring with solo homers in the 1st and 2nd innings, respectively, but USI scored 5 runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings combined to take a 5-2 lead. But by the time the Screaming Eagles (13-16) scored again in the 7th, they were down 8-6. Murray added insurance runs when Jonathan Hogart was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the 8th, then 2 more runs scored in the 9th on a fielder’s choice/throwing error. Garner’s double scored Dustin Mercer and Preston Shelton in the 9th to close the scoring.

Belmont 9, Lipscomb 5: Not many rivalries features 2 schools closer together than Belmont and Lipscomb, as the Nashville-area schools met Wednesday with the Bruins taking a 9-5 win, leading to some creative Twitter work out of Belmont.

The Bruins (16-13) took control of this one early, scoring a run in the 1st and 6 more in the 2nd. Sam Slaughter (.379-4-24) got Belmont off on the right foot in the 1st with a solo homer. In the 2nd, Jack Rando’s grand slam keyed the 6-run uprising, while Mason Landers added a solo shot and Jeff Clarke singled home a run. Landers now has 11 homers and 34 RBIs on the season. He singled home another run in the 4th to make it 8-2 and Brodey Heaton got in on the fun with an RBI single in the top of the 9th to close the scoring.

Blake Ciuffetelli (1-2, 4.63; 28 K in 23 1/3 IP) got the win, pitching 4 innings and allowing just 2 runs on 2 hits with 0 walks and 7 strikeouts through 69 pitches (4.31 ppo). Jett Thielke, Jordan Zuger, Bill Ruby, and Hank Liss carried the pitching load the rest of the way.

Kansas State 8, Missouri State 4: The Bears’ tough non-conference slate continued Wednesday as Kansas State out of the Big 12 came to Springfield and left with an 8-4 victory. The Wildcats scored 2 runs in each of the 1st and 2nd innings and led, 5-1, after 4 innings. The Bears got back within 5-4 in the 6th inning, however, thanks to Tyler Epstein’s RBI single; Caden Bogenpohl’s (.299-8-23) bases-loaded walk, and a Nick Rodriguez ground out that scored Dylan Leach (.320; 23 runs scored).

But K-State (19-8) responded with 3 runs of its own in the top of the 7th to close the scoring and put the game away. Kaelen Culpepper went 3-for-4 for the Wildcats with a triple, homer, and 4 RBIs. The Wildcats also stole 8 bases. Logan Chambers had 2 hits for Missouri State while Leach scored twice.

Missouri State is 0-6 against Power Conference opposition this season; 11-10 otherwise.

Today on Valley Diamonds: All is quiet.

What I’m Watching Tonight, Part 1: ACC action tonight on ACCN+ features North Carolina at Virginia, while those with access to SECN+ can see #1 Arkansas host Mississippi. ESPN2 has #7 Vanderbilt at #18 LSU tonight, as well.

What I’m Watching Tonight, Part 2: Indiana State’s men’s basketball team plays for the NIT Championship tonight at 7 p.m. Eastern on ESPN against Seton Hall.