Baseball Closes Out Homestand With IPFW

Friday, March 11

Murray, Ky.

2 p.m.

Murray State

IPFW

Luke Shuemaker will get the start in the series opener

Photo by: Samantha Mohr

3/10/2011 10:48:51 AM | Baseball

Breds host Mastadons in four-game series

GAME NOTES

GAMES 12-15

MURRAY STATE vs. IPFW
March 11-13, 2011 • Murray, Ky.

First Pitch
Friday: 2 p.m.; Saturday: 12 p.m.; Sunday: 12 p.m.
Series History: First meeting
Last Meeting: First meeting
Stadium: Reagan Field (Capacity: 800)
Dimensions: 335 (LF), 400 (CF), 335 (RF)
Live Stats: www.goracers.com

MURRAY STATE THOROUGHBREDS
Overall Record: 5-6-0
Conference Record: 0-0-0
Last 5/Last 10: 3-2/3-5
Streak: Win 3
Website: www.GoRacers.com
Head Coach: Rob McDonald
Career Record: 166-226-2 (8th year)
Record at MSU: 166-226-2 (8th year)

IPFW MASTADONS
Overall Record: 1-3-0
Conference Record: 0-0-0
Last 5/Last 10: 1-3/1-3
Streak: Win 1
Website: www.gomastadons.com
Head Coach: Bobby Pierce
Career Record: 86-133 (6th year)
Record at IPFW: 31-79 (3rd year)

FIRST PITCH
The Breds close out their season-long homestand as they play host to IPFW for a four-game series. The series gets underway Friday at 2 p.m., followed by a 12 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday, and a 12 p.m. first pitch on Sunday.

INSIDE THE SERIES
The Breds and Mastadons are meeting for the first time on the diamond. This weekend marks the the second-straight weekend the Breds will play a team from The Summit League, after hosting North Dakota State last weekend. MSU swept the three-game series from the Bison.

Probable Pitching Matchups
FRIDAY, MARCH 11
Pitcher    W-L    ERA    K/BB
Luke Shuemaker (L)    2-1    6.19    17/6
Nick Opitz (L)    0-1    3.38    4/3

SATURDAY, MARCH 12
Pitcher    W-L    ERA    K/BB
Tyler Beers (R)    1-1    3.54    16/5
Lucas Kesterson (R)    0-1    10.80    2/4

Jake Donze (L)    1-0    1.40    13/8
Parker Moorman (R)    0-0    15.00    3/2

SUNDAY, MARCH 13
Pitcher    W-L    ERA    K/BB
Bryan Babin (L)    0-1    5.59    6/5
Samuel Walker (R)    1-0    2.00    9/3

vs. IPFW
The Breds and Mastadons will be meeting for the first time on the diamond. They are the second opponent from The Summit League the Breds will play in as many weeks after hosting North Dakota State last weekend.

Weekend Weather
The weather for the weekend is looking promising as no rain is forecasted. Friday is calling for sunny skies with a high of 57. Saturday looks to be the best day with temperatures reaching 62 degrees. Some clouds will roll in on Sunday with a high temperature of 54.

Belmont Game Rescheduled
Wet field conditions caused the postponement of the midweek game against Belmont. Instead, the two teams will play a doubleheader, May 3, in Nashville.

Noonan Named to All-Star Lineup
After putting together a monster week in helping the Breds sweep North Dakota State, Zach Noonan was named to the College Baseball Foundation and Diamond Sports National All-Star lineup.

Noonan Named OVC Hitter of Week
After setting the school record for hits in a game, Zach Noonan was named the adidas Ohio Valley Conference Hitter of the Week on March 7. For the week, the senior went 9-for-16 (.563) with three doubles, triple, home run and nine RBIs.

Noonan Ties Hits Record
Zach Noonan tied the single-game record when he went 6-for-6 in the series opener against North Dakota State. The six hits ties the record set by Elliot Frey at Morehead State on Apri. 25, 2008.

Donze Tosses CG to Win Pitchers Duel
Jake Donze dialed up a masterpiece against North Dakota State as he allowed just one unearned run in the complete-game victory. He fanned six, including the final batter of the game looking in the 2-1 win. It was the first CG of the season, after tossing an OVC-best five a season ago.

Ritzheimer Delivers Game Winners
Sophomore Paul Ritzheimer came up big in the doubleheader sweep over North Dakota State by delivering the game-winning RBI in each of the two games. He broke the first game open with a three-run single up the middle, and then plated the game-winning run in the nightcap with a push bunt to first base with a runner on third. For the doubleheader, Ritzheimer went 5-for-6 with four RBIs.

Offense Hits Extra in Opener vs NDSU
The Murray State offense had its most productive day of the season in the series opener against North Dakota State as the Breds collected 17 hits. Nine of those hits went for extra bases, with six doubles, a triple and two home runs. Zach Noonan led the way with three doubles and a home run. Travis Isaak added a double and a home run, while Elliot Frey collected a double and a triple.

Noonan Drives In 7
Zach Noonan had a career day in the opener against North Dakota State as he drove in a career-best seven runs. He finished the day going 6-for-6 with three doubles, a grand slam and seven RBIs. He bested his old high of six RBIs set against Southeast Missouri in 2008.

Babin Makes Most of First Start
Left hander Bryan Babin made the most of his first start as he held Arkansas State to just one unearned run on four hits and five strikeouts over seven innings.