The Murray State ‘Breds faced off against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks Sunday afternoon for the last game of a three-game series in which Jacksonville State took home all three wins.

Losing 14-11 on Friday and 7-6 Saturday in extra innings, the ‘Breds proved they came to play Sunday after taking a strong lead of 5-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Both teams scored runs in following three innings making the score 6-3 with the ‘Breds still leading. The ‘Breds kept their lead until the top of the eighth where Jacksonville State rallied up three more runs to tie up the scoreboard at 6-6.

In the bottom of the eighth, the ‘Breds managed to score one more run, but the Gamecocks pulled out a two-run homer in the top of the ninth and taking the lead at 8-7.

It was downhill from there for Breds as they could not come back after the Gamecocks dominated the plate and scored two more runs handing the ‘Breds a loss of 10-7 and taking home the series.

Coach Rob McDonald said despite the loss, the ‘Breds showed some great play out on the field.

“We pitched pretty well,” McDonald said. “We had some guys do a pretty good job hitting and made a couple nice plays in the field. The guys are playing hard and continuing to fight, but I guess the main positive is that we pitched pretty well today.”

The ‘Breds used five pitchers in the final game against the Gamecocks. Senior Tim Vonder Haar started on the mound for the ‘Breds, allowing five hits in four innings. Sophomore Cameron Wallace came in for two innings after Vonder Haar and only allowed one hit.

Freshman Andrew Bramley came in for two innings as well and gave up four runs, while sophomore Brock Downey and freshman Sheldon Baxter shared the last inning, Downey giving up four runs and Baxter giving up one.

The ‘Breds will hit the field next facing the Tigers of the University of Memphis on April 16, in Memphis, Tenn.

Story by Taylor Crum, Assistant Sports Editor.