MURRAY, Ky. – Murray State scored 16 times on 18 hits Sunday to win 16-10 over SIUE in the finale of a three-game Ohio Valley Conference baseball series. The 'Breds won two of the three games to take the series.

"It was a combination of poor pitching and some tough breaks," SIUE Head Coach Gary Collins said. "We gave up too many hits today."

Both teams scored two runs in the first inning. Murray State (21-24, 7-11 OVC) led 5-3 after three innings. Thad Hawkins (2-4) allowed five on six hits over 2 1/3 innings to take the loss. The 'Breds scored four times in the sixth inning against SIUE reliever Drew Staples to extend the lead to 9-4 after six innings.

SIUE (22-22, 9-9 OVC) cut into the lead with a three-run seventh inning to make it 9-7. The 'Breds then  erupted for seven runs in the eighth against the Cougars' Tony Schaeffer.

The Cougars collected 13 hits of their own Sunday, including three home runs. Mitch Matecki, Joel Greatting and Devin Cadwell each homered for the Cougars. Greatting finished the game 3 for 4 with a solo home run. Cadwell was 1 for 3 and hit a three-run homer to account for all three runs in the Cougars' seventh inning.  Matecki was 1 for 3 with a two-run first-inning home run.

"We had some offense and we scored some runs," Collins said. "It was a hitter's day."

SIUE had won two consecutive OVC series before the weekend.

"Our goal was to come down here and win the series," Collins added. "We didn't get it done today."

SIUE next plays Saint Louis Thursday at GCS Ballpark in Sauget. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.