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Rawe Ties School Hitting Record

MSU Athletics

The Morehead State baseball team stranded nine runners in scoring position Saturday at Eastern Illinois, and the Panthers dealt the Eagles a 4-0 shutout at Coaches Stadium.

Eastern Illinois, which is now 7-1-1 in its last nine Ohio Valley Conference games, moved to 18-30-1 overall and 12-13-1 in the league. MSU, which has now dropped six of its last nine after winning six straight, fell to 25-24 overall and 13-13 in the OVC.

MSU junior right fielder Brandon Rawe tied the school single-season hit record with his league-best 18th double in the ninth inning. Rawe is now locked up with former third baseman Andrew Deeds for the record at 87.

Matt Borens (4-4) worked 8.1 innings and struck out seven for the win. Ben Kennedy allowed a ninth inning hit but coaxed a game-ending double play for his first save. It marked only the second shutout setback for MSU, which ranks in the OVC's top three for offense, in 49 games this year.

"One of the things that Borens did today was that, when he got in trouble, he made big pitches," Head Coach Mike McGuire said. "That's the mark of a great pitcher."

The Eagles left runners on either second or third base in six of their nine at-bats and stranded 14 runners total. MSU had 10 hits compered to nine for the hosts.

"We have been a very good club offensively for the last month, and we had several opportunities today with guys we wanted at the plate," McGuire added. "For whatever reason, we just didn't get it done today."

Junior shortstop Robby Spencer, senior designated hitter Bobby Burns, junior outfielder Chris Robinson and junior first baseman Kane Sweeney each collected two hits. Burns' pair were both doubles.

EIU leadoff hitter Caleb Howell and designated hitter Tyler Schweigert led the Panthers with two hits apiece.

The hosts plated two runs in the opening inning and added two more in the sixth via a bases-loaded walk and a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch.

Matt Anderson (2-7) absorbed the loss for the Eagles. He tossed the first four innings and allowed seven hits and two runs. Junior Ryan Vansaghi preserved the 4-0 game with two perfect innings on the mound.

"Ryan pitched very well," McGuire said. "He came in with a tough situation and threw the ball very solidly."

The series finale is set for Sunday (May 11) at 2 p.m.

"I really didn't thing we played poorly today. We just didn't get timely hitting again," McGuire said. "We know the OVC standings are very bunched up, and tomorrow is a very important game we need to win. We'll be ready."

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