Story and photo provided by Murray State Sports Information

In a game that saw the momentum switch three times, it was Jacksonville State that scored the final run to take the game 10-9 Sunday (April 10) afternoon at Johnny Reagan Field.

A costly first-inning error helped open the flood gates for the Gamecocks (22-10, 6-3 OVC) as they pushed across five runs in the inning. After a leadoff single, the next batter hit a ball back to the mound that was thrown into center field. The next hitter a drew a walk to load the bases and Ben Waldrip drove in two runs with a single up the middle. Kyle Bluestein drove in a run with single back through the box, and the second error of the inning allowed two more runs to score.

The Breds (13-17, 4-4 OVC) got a run back in the bottom of the first as Brandon Elliott singled up the middle with one out and scored on a Jacob Rhodes single through the right side.

JSU added to its lead in the third as Bluestein led off the inning with a solo home run to left center.

MSU got back into the game in the third as Elliott singled to right center and Travis Isaak followed with a base hit up the middle. Two batters later, Brandon Eggenscwhiler walked to load the bases. A fielder’s choice from Paul Ritzheimer scored the first run, and Zach Noonan followed with a two-run double to left center. Cody Larson capped off the four-run inning with a bloop single to right center.

A solo home run just inside the left-field foul pole by Scott Underwood helped push the lead back to two.

A costly Gamecock error in the fourth helped the Breds push across four runs and take their first lead of the game. After the first two guys were retired, Eggenschwiler walked and Ritzheimer singled up the middle. Noonan plated a run with a single to right center, before Larson hit a grounder to shortstop that was flipped to second and dropped, allowing a run to score. Frey and Stetson made them pay be hitting back-to-back RBI singles.

The Gamecocks pushed across a run in the fifth as a single and walk put two on with two outs, and Andrew Bishop blooped an RBI single to right center.

JSU regained the lead in the seventh as Bluestein doubled to left center and later scored on a wild pitch with two outs. After back-to-back walks, Coty Blanchard delivered an RBI single to center field.

The Breds had a chance to tie the game in the ninth as Drew Pixley delivered a leadoff pinch-hit single to left. After a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch, Elliott lined out to center on a diving catch to end the game.

Cameron Finch (0-2) took the loss after allowing one run on one hit and two strikeouts over 2.2 innings. Hunter Rivers (6-1) picked up the victory after allowing three hits and striking out three over three innings. Todd Hornsby (10) picked up the save after allowing one hit and fanning two over two innings.

Elliott led the offense by going 3-for-6 with a pair of runs scored. Noonan went 2-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored, while Frey went 3-for-4 with an RBI.

The Breds return to the diamond Wednesday evening as they travel to face Western Kentucky. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.