HILLCREST FORD/BEARKAT BASEBALL CLASSIC
Feb. 27 to March 1, 2009
HUNTSVILLE -- Ryan Mulligan's scored on an error in the eighth inning for the winning run in a 4-3 victory by Saint Mary's over Sam Houston State in the final game of the Hillcrest Ford/Bearkat Baseball Classic at Don Sanders Stadium Sunday afternoon.
All four Gael runs in the contest were unearned as Saint Mary's upped its record to 6-2 and ended up with the best record in the tournament, winning three of their four contests. Missouri State and Nebraska both went 2-2 in the event. Missouri State defeated Nebraska 3-2 in Sunday's first game.
Saint Mary's started the scoring with two runs in the first inning as Cory Miller singled and Greg Ditmer was safe on an error and the two tallied on a single by Troy Channing.
The Gaels added another run in the third inning as Channing walked, advanced to third base on an error and scored on a sacrifice fly by Toby Demello.
Sam Houston got on the board in the fifth inning as Tyler Knight doubled, then scored on a single by Justin Keithley. Justin Keithley, Braeden Riley and Seth Hammock started the eighth inning with consecutive strike outs. After a pair of strike outs, Tyler Lundy singled to right field to score Keithley and Riley and tie the contest 3-3.
Saint Mary's turned a pair of hit batters and an error into the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, the Bearkats appeared to have a double play opportunity but an error allowed Ryan Mulligan to score from third.
Brent Powers made his second start for the Bearkats, giving up three unearned runs in the first three innings, then shutting out the Gaels for the next four. He struck out a batter with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning. Sean Weatherford pitched the final two innings in relief.
Missouri State defeated Nebraska 3-2 in the seventh game of the Hillcrest Ford/Baseball Classic earlier Sunday.
Buddy Baumann allowed only one hit in five innings as the Bears starter to pick up the win. Pat Doyle got the save. The Missouri State defense helped its cause with three double plays.
Nebraska and Missouri State both posted 2-2 records in the tournament.
Sam Houston's Seth Hammock, Braeden Riley and Jacob Howard were selected to the All-Tournament team
First baseman Ben Carlson of Missouri State was named as the Classic's Most Valuable Player. Carlson went 10-for-19 to hit .526 during the Bears' four games. He totaled 11 RBIs.
HILLCREST FORD / BEARKAT BASEBALL CLASSIC
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Catcher ? Cory Burleson, Nebraska
Infielder ? Ben Carlson, Missouri State (Most Valuable Player)
Infielder ? Seth Hammock, Sam Houston
Infielder ? Braeden Riley, Sam Houston
Infieder ? Travis McComack, Missouri State
Outfielder ? Kyle Jensen, Saint Mary's
Outfielder ? Chris Playter, Missouri St
Outfielder ? Cory Miller, Saint Mary's
Utility ? Adam Bailey, Nebraska
Designated Hitter ? Terry Channing, Saint Mary's
Pitcher ? Mike Nesseth, Nebraska
Pitcher ? Brian Justice, Saint Mary's
Pitcher ? Buddy Baumann, Missouri St.
Pitcher ? Jacob Howard, Sam Houston
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Friday
Game 1 - Nebraska 14, Missouri St. 12
Game 2 - Saint Mary's 14, Sam Houston 6
Saturday
Game 3 - Missouri St. 15, Saint Mary's 3
Game 4 - Saint Mary's 7, Nebraska 5
Game 5 - Nebraska 8, Sam Houston 1
Game 6 - Sam Houston 15, Missouri St 11
Sunday
Game 7 - Missouri St 3, Nebraska 2
Game 8 - Saint Mary's 4. Sam Houston 3
