Box Score HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The Murray State Aggies opened the Region II Tournament with a 9-6 victory over ASU-Mountain Home on Wednesday.
The Aggies struck first, putting up a run in the third inning to take an early 1-0 lead. It was the fourth inning that broke the game open for the Aggies, though. Murray State exploded for five runs in the inning, extending their lead to a commanding 6-0.
ASU-Mountain Home fought back in the bottom half of the frame, cutting the lead to 6-2 with a pair of runs.
The Aggies responded in the sixth with a pair of runs, extending their lead back to six runs. Murray State tacked on one more in the eighth to pad the lead to 9-2.
ASU-Mountain Home scored four runs in the eighth to trim the Murray State College lead to three.
Jakob Holzer, though, slammed the door shut retiring the final batter in the eighth and the last three outs of the game, earning the save and giving Murray State the 9-6 win in the opening round of the Region II Tournament.
Cash Kuiper earned the win for the Aggies, throwing 7 ⅔ innings, while striking out five and limiting ASU-Mountain Home to four earned runs.
The top of the order for the Aggies was tremendous today.
Junho Son,
Austin Haley, and
Michael Barham each collected two hits apiece and set the stage for the middle of the order.
Tanner Norman tallied two RBI's on the day, while
Brady Taylor and
Brennan Morgan each drove in a Murray State runner today.
"We are really excited", said Coach Bjorling. The importance of winning game one cannot be understated. So for our guys to be able to go out there & compete their butts off & earn an opening round win is awesome.
Cash Kuiper went out & showed why he is one of the best pitchers in the country today. The offense showed up early & we got great production up & down the lineup. We are looking forward to getting a great night's sleep & taking it in inning by inning & pitch by pitch tomorrow night."
With the win, the Aggies will now play tomorrow at Majestic Park against the winner of NOC-Tonkawa and Southeast Arkansas at 7:00 p.m.
Sports Information Director: Justin Wagner | jgwagner@mscok.edu
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