Friedrich delivers as EKU rolls past Samford, 10-0

Nathan Hutchinson
Register Sports Editor

RICHMOND May 04, 2008 12:26 am

— With the Colonels facing a virtual must-win situation, Christian Friedrich delivered one of the best performances of his outstanding college career.
The junior left-hander was nothing less than brilliant, allowing only one baserunner in eight innings, as Eastern Kentucky University (22-22-1, 9-10 Ohio Valley Conference) picked up a 10-0 win over Samford (27-18, 13-5 OVC) Saturday at Turkey Hughes Field. Friedrich allowed a bloop double in the second inning and then retired the next 20 batters he faced.
The two teams will wrap up their weekend series with a doubleheader today, starting at noon.
“He had it and he knew it was a big weekend for us,” EKU coach Elvis Dominguez said of Friedrich. “He came out and set the tone right from the first batter. He just keeps getting better.”
EKU came into the series with Samford sitting in seventh place in the OVC with just two more weeks left in the regular season. Only the top six teams qualify for the conference tournament, which will be played May 19 though 23 in Paducah.
Friedrich had no problem shutting down the potent Samford offense and for a change got plenty of run support. The Colonels pounded out 15 hits and put the game away with a six-run rally in the seventh inning.
Catcher Joe Oliver led the EKU attack, going four-for-five with a home run, a double, scoring three runs and adding four RBIs. Anthony Ottrando, Aaron Barrows and Matt Davis also had three hits each.
“He’s been swinging the bat well, he just hasn’t had any luck,” Dominguez said of Oliver. “Today, he finally found a couple of holes.”
Oliver supplied EKU with all the offense it would need when he ripped a two-run homer over the left-field fence in the second, scoring Davis.
Friedrich (5-1) was simply dominate from the start against the second-best hitting team in the league (Samford — .304). He did not walk a batter and allowed only the hit by catcher Bear Burnett. The preseason All-American struck out nine and dropped his earned run average to 1.76 on the season.
“It’s great,” Oliver said of catching Friedrich. “He throws it right where I set up every time. He makes it easy on me.”
Jay Embree came on in relief of Friedrich in the ninth and set down the side in order. EKU pitchers retired the last 23 batters they faced.
“There is still a lot of season to go,” Friedrich said of not going back out for the ninth inning. “The coaches want to protect my arm. You’ve only got so many throws in your arm.”
Even with the win, the Colonels still sit in seventh place, trailing Eastern Illinois (10-10), Austin Peay (9-9) and SEMO (9-9) for the final spots in the OVC Tournament.