Box Score MURRAY, Ky. - The Belmont University baseball team dropped an extra innings game at Murray State 4-3 in 12 innings on Wednesday at Reagan Field.
The game does not count towards the Ohio Valley Conference standings and was treated as a non-conference mid-week contest.
Freshman Brodey Heaton led the Bruins offensively, tying a career-high three hits in four at-bats. Junior Kyle Brennan guided the Bruins on the mound with five strikeouts in a season-high four innings pitched.
Murray State struck first in the bottom of the first inning, scoring the lead run off a home run from current OVC home runs leader Brock Anderson.
Sophomore John Behrends drew a walk in the top of the third inning, being 90 feet away from scoring after a single from junior Logan Jarvis. The Bruins managed to tie the game later in the inning, with Behrends scoring off a single to left field from Heaton.
The Racers quickly responded in the next half-inning, getting two runners on base with a leadoff single and walk. Hitting a double down the left field line, Murray State took the 2-1 lead and forced three consecutive shutout innings.
A leadoff single from Heaton gave Belmont life in the top of the eighth inning, where a sacrifice grounder and a wild pitch put the go-ahead run at third base. Junior Grayson Taylor hit a single to right field, giving the Bruins a 3-2 lead.
Belmont collected two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning despite a fielding error, but a throwing error allowed Murray State to score the tying run and eventually forced extra innings. Murray State put the go-ahead run in scoring position in the bottom of the 10th inning with two outs, but junior Kyle Brennan forced an 11th inning with a strikeout.
Murray State got a leadoff runner on base, with the Racers' runner advancing to third off a throwing error off the failed pick-off attempt. After loading the bases, a wild pitch allowed the Racers to win with the walk-off.
Belmont (20-21) will face Georgia State at Rose Park starting on Friday at 4 p.m. during their bye weekend from OVC play. Grandstand seating will be limited to 20 percent of the maximum occupancy. Belmont Athletics will identify where fans can and cannot sit in the grandstands. Belmont Athletics asks fans to observe the reconfigured seating arrangement, including any seats marked as "Reserved".
Attendees are required to always wear masks or face coverings at Rose Park, per Belmont University guidelines. Individuals who have been vaccinated or previously tested positive for COVID-19 are NOT exempt from this requirement. Spectators not in compliance with face coverings at Rose Park will be asked to leave the facility.
