Box Score JACKSON, Tenn.-- Patrick McGrath (Jackson, Tenn.) came home, scattered five hits over eight innings and picked up his second win against SEMO in a week, as the No. 6 Belmont Bruins upset the No. 1 seed 7-2 on Thursday night. The Bruins move on to face No. 2 seed Morehead State at 7PM on Friday.
Patrick McGrath pitched eight solid innings for the Bruins against Southeast Missouri. McGrath gave up only 2 runs on five hits and held the Redhawks to 6 scoreless innings.
"We have a lot of momentum going into the end of the week, my guys made it a lot easier on me throughout the game and just believing in one another is key," stated Mcgrath post game.
Drew Ferguson (Knoxville, Tenn.) was one of many to make it easier on McGrath pitching on the mound. Ferguson went two for three at the plate continuing his hot hitting from last night's game against SIUE. Ferguson hit a two run bomb over the 24 foot left field wall to extend the Bruins lead in the top of the ninth.
Along with some solid hits from the Bruins, persistence at the plate in the first inning helped the Bruins to an early three run lead. The Bruins were able to take advantage of Southeast Missouri's starting pitcher Joey Lucchesi who was having location issues early in the game. The first four runs by the Bruins scored by runners who reached base via walks. Tyler Fullerton (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) provided a two RBI double to left field plating two of the four batters who reached on walks in the first.
Head Coach Dave Jarvis spoke after the game stating, "We were able to take advantage of some control issues, put some runners on base and had some hits to break the ice and get things going. We had a great game from our guys, but there is always still work to be done."
The Bruins (29-27) will return to the Ballpark of Jackson tomorrow to face the No. 2 seed Morehead State in the winners bracket final of the OVC Baseball Tournament. First pitch is scheduled for 7PM and will be covered on the Bruin Sports Network as well as the OVC Digital Network. Follow belmontbruins.com and @BelmontBaseball on Twitter for more information.
