Troy Clinches Conference-Opening Series
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Troy took the first Sun Belt Conference series of the season with a 6-3 win over Little Rock Saturday afternoon at Gary Hogan Field.
Troy (11-6, 2-0) used a huge eighth inning to take a late lead after trailing the entire game – scoring four runs on three hits. The biggest blow came on a two RBI single from Chase Smartt, who finished two-for-four and was the only batter to have multiple hits for Troy.
Mason Rogers hit his first home run as a Trojan in the sixth inning, while Drew Frederic and Trevor Davis both hit safely to extend their hitting streaks – Davis at 10 and Frederic at nine games in a row.
Austin Crook (3-0) fell behind early after giving up three runs in the first three innings. However, Crook settled down and did not allow another run in the next four to manufacture a win for Troy – with three runs on seven hits and striking out three in seven innings of work.
Marc Skinner earned the save for the second game for his fifth save of the season – which takes his career save total to 13.
Little Rock (7-12, 0-2) falls despite taking an early 3-0 lead before allowing six unanswered runs. The Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year, Dalton Thomas, homered for the second day in a row and finished two-for-four.
Ryan LeMoine (0-2) entered in relief in the fourth and suffered loss after conceding three runs on two hits in 2.2 innings of work.
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"(Austin) Crook settled in and really gave our offense a chance," Troy head coach Mark Smartt said. "Mason Rogers hit a big homer and Marc Skinner was great. I'm really proud of the series win, it speaks a lot to the character of our team. You don't get many chances to sweep in this league, especially on the road, and we get the chance to tomorrow."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Eighth-Inning Magic: After cutting the lead to one in the seventh with the Rogers home run, Troy hit the throttle and never turned back – putting up four runs in the eighth inning to take the 6-3 lead.
The Trojans loaded the bases with no outs for Senior Trevor Davis, who stepped up and delivered an RBI single to tie the game and extend his hitting streak to 10. Chase Smartt followed suit with a single of his own to drive in two more and give Troy its first lead of the game. Joey Denison sacrificed the runners over and Mack Hathcock followed with a sacrifice fly to center to push the lead to three.
JAGS EVEN SERIES WITH GEORGIA SOUTHERN IN GAME TWO
STATESBORO, Ga. – The University of South Alabama baseball team recorded 10 extra-base hits in a 19-6 win over Georgia Southern Saturday at J.I. Clements Stadium.
Eight Jaguar starters recorded at least one hit in the game, led by Jared Barnes who went 3-for-5 with two doubles, one home run, three RBI and one run scored. Will Luft added three hits, including two doubles, three RBI and three runs scored. Brendan Donovan and Wells Davis also homered in the game.
USA left-hander Thomas Huston (1-1) allowed four earned runs on nine hits with a career-high seven strikeouts against two walks in 6 2/3 innings to earn his first win of the season. Eagle right-hander Brian Eichhorn (1-2) allowed seven runs on eight hits with one strikeout and one walk in 3 1/3 innings in the loss.
Donovan doubled to the left-center field gap with one out in the top of the first, and moved to third on a fielding error by Eagle center fielder Logan Baldwin as he attempted to retrieve the ball. But Eichhorn recorded the second out of the inning on a groundout back to the mound off the bat of Travis Swaggerty, and induced an inning-ending popup to third by Wells Davis to escape the frame without allowing a run to cross.
The Eagles jumped out to a two-run lead in the bottom of the first inning. Georgia Southern put the first two runners on base to start the inning on a leadoff walk by Steven Curry and a single through the left side of the infield by Mitchell Golden. Ryan Cleveland followed with a walk to load the bases with no outs. Huston recorded the first out of the inning on a popup into foul territory near third base by Mason McWhorter. Tyler Martin then reached on an error on a grounder to shortstop that scored Curry from third with the game's first run. Jordan Wren then reached on a hit by pitch to force home the second Eagle run for a 2-0 advantage.
USA (10-9, 1-1 SBC) answered with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning. Carter Perkins singled to left-center field with one out and advanced to second on a wild pitch from Eichhorn. Will Luft followed with an RBI single to right-center field to score Perkins and cut the Eagle lead in half at 2-1. Jared Barnes then doubled to right-center field to put two runners in scoring positon with one out. South Alabama tied the game one batter later on a passed ball charged to Eagle catcher Jacob Greene following a strikeout of Hunter Stokes.
Ryan Cleveland led off the bottom of the third with a double off the center field wall, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. But Huston responded with three consecutive strikeouts to escape the inning and preserve the 2-2 tie.
South Alabama then broke the tie with nine runs in the top of the fourth. Luft led off the inning with a double to left field, and scored two batters later on an infield single to shortstop by Stokes following a throwing error by Eagle shortstop Evan McDonald to first for a 3-2 Jaguar lead. Dylan Hardy then delivered an RBI single to center field to score Stokes and double the USA lead to 4-2. Hardy stole second with one out then moved to third on a wild pitch from Eichhorn following a walk to Donovan. Swaggerty followed with a two-run double down the left field line to score Hardy and Donovan for a 6-2 Jaguar advantage. Davis and Eddie Paparella drew consecutive one-out walks to load the bases for Perkins. A passed ball charged to Greene scored Swaggerty to extend the USA lead to 7-2. Perkins then reached on an error by Eagle reliever Zach Cowart that allowed Davis to score and push the Jag advantage to 8-2. Luft followed with an RBI groundout to first base for a 9-2 lead. Barnes then delivered a two-run home run to left field to push the USA lead to 11-2.
Donovan extended the Jaguar advantage to 13-2 with a two-run home run to right field, his second of the season, in the top of the fifth inning.
The Jaguars added to their lead one inning later when Perkins led off the top of the sixth with a single to left field, and scored on an RBI double down the left field line by Luft for a 14-2 lead. Barnes followed with an RBI double down the left field line to extend the USA lead to 15-2.
The Eagles pushed across a run in the bottom of the sixth on a two-out RBI single from C.J. Brazil to cut the USA lead to 15-3.
USA answered in the top of the seventh on a leadoff solo home run to right field by Wells Davis, his third of the year, for a 16-3 lead.
Georgia Southern (10-8, 1-1 SBC) added its final three runs of the game in the bottom of the seventh on a three-run home run to right-center field by Wren.
The Jags added the game's final runs in the top of the eighth on a two-out RBI double to right-center field by Cam Cummings and a two-run single to center field by Perkins.
"Thomas Huston gave us a chance," USA head coach Mark Calvi said. "They (Georgia Southern) dropped two runs on us in the first inning – it wasn't looking good. Georgia Southern can really swing the bats. But Thomas Huston being the competitor that he is threw up a bunch of zeros after that. Our guys competed really well in the box and in the field; I was really proud of our guys' effort tonight after a tough loss last night, and after some tough losses the last two weeks. I think our guys became more of a team the last two games, no question about it. The energy was a lot better – it just seemed like they jelled as a team a little more the last 48 to 72 hours. We will need that moving forward, especially tomorrow.
"I was extremely proud of the way our hitters got in there and swung the bats. Our guys had some two-strike hits; Dylan Hardy had a two-strike RBI after he battled his behind off and shot a ball up the middle. (Brendan) Donovan stepped up there with a big home run, Will Luft had a clutch RBI early in the game – there were guys really competing in the box when the game was back and forth. This is probably the best I have seen guys compete in the batter's box up and down the lineup tonight all year. I was proud of their effort. You have players who look at you and hear you, and you have you players who look at you and are listening; our guys look at us and they listen. They did a very good job of putting some adjustments together, adjusting some mindset and approaches in the box the last two weeks. This was the culmination of it. But tonight's over and we have to get ready for a very good pitcher and team tomorrow."
The series will conclude with the rubber match Sunday at noon (CT), and will be broadcast by ESPN3 and available on WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app.
@AStateBaseball Splits Doubleheader with ULM
JONESBORO, Ark. (3/18/17) – The Arkansas State baseball team dropped the first game of a doubleheader against ULM by a score of 5-3 to open Sun Belt Conference play, but rebounded with a 12-6 victory in game two to earn a split Saturday at Tomlinson Stadium.
The teams had to play a doubleheader after Friday’s contest was postponed due to inclement weather in the area. A-State is now 10-8 on the season and 1-1 in league play, while ULM is now 5-15 and 1-1.
The Red Wolves scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning of the nightcap after ULM scored an unearned run in the top half when Joe Schrimpf singled home one run, Jeremy Brown knocked in two, and another scored on a wild pitch. A-State extended the lead to 6-1 the next inning when Grant Hawkins hit his second home run of the day to plate two runs.
However, ULM struck back within one run after a two-run homer by Chad Bell, a RBI single by Nathan Reynolds, and a sacrifice fly by Johnny DeLaCruz in the top of the fourth inning off A-State starter Peyton Culbertson. The visitors then tied the game in top of the sixth inning on a RBI ground out by Reynolds, but Arkansas State plated three runs on a sacrifice fly by Garrett Rucker and two-run single up-the-middle by Brown to take a 9-6 edge.
The home team plated three more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, including the first career RBI by Tobias Johnson, to take complete control of the game at 12-6. Tyler Zuber allowed a lead-off single in the top of the ninth, but a 6-4-3 double play and pop up ended the game as Zuber tossed 3.1 innings out of the bullpen to earn his first win of the season. The White Hall, Ark., native allowed two hits and didn’t walk a batter while striking out two.
Hawkins led the Red Wolves with three hits and scored three runs along with knocking in three runs, while Brown had four RBI in the game. Turner Francis, Spencer Hemphill, Blake Buckman, and Reynolds all had two hits in the losing effort for the Warhawks. Culbertson lasted 5.2 for the Red Wolves and allowed six runs (four earned) on nine hits, while Matthew Reeves was one of seven pitchers ULM used in the game and was tagged with the loss after allowing two runs in 0.2 innings.
A-State started the scoring in game one when Hawkins left the yard for his first career home run, a solo shot in the bottom of the third. However, ULM scored four runs in the fourth and fifth innings with the first coming on a bases-loaded balk by Bryan Ayers. The next three occurred in the fifth when Chad Bell ripped a three-run, opposite-field home run to left off Ayers. The home team battled back to within 4-3 when Schrimpf hit a solo homer in the bottom of the sixth and added another run on a RBI fielder’s choice by Brown.
However, ULM added another run to go ahead 5-3 in the seventh and Anthony Herrera came in from shortstop to throw the last 2.2 innings on the bump to pick up his second save of the year. Herrera only allowed one hit as he clinched the win for Josh Leone, who allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits with four strikeouts and no walks. Ayers took the loss to fall to 2-2 on the year after pitching 6.1 innings and allowing five runs (all earned) on 10 hits with seven punch outs and two walks.
Schrimpf and Hawkins had two hits in the game for the Red Wolves, while Cade Harper had three hits and Bell drove in three for the Warhawks.
The rubber game between the Red Wolves and Warhawks will take place at 1 p.m. Sunday at Tomlinson Stadium.
No. 20 Coastal Takes Game 2, 4-3, at Texas State
SAN MARCOS, Texas - While Dalton Ewing accounted for his team's first three runs, it was a two-out home run by Seth Lancaster in the eighth inning that proved to be the difference as #20 Coastal Carolina won a back-and-forth game at Texas State Saturday.
The Chanticleers (12-8, 1-1) and Bobcats (11-8, 1-1) will play the rubber match of the three-game series on Sunday at 1 pm (CT).
Ewing had three of CCU's nine hits, including a home run, while scoring CCU's first two runs and driving in the third. Kevin Woodall Jr., added two hits and was walked once.
Andrew Beckwith (1-1) earned his first win of the season. He worked seven innings while allowing six hits, three runs and two walks with a strikeout. Anthony Veneziano started the eighth and hit his only batter. From that point, Will Latcham, who earned his first save, pitched two scoreless innings. He walked one and struck out one.
Texas State grabbed the early lead with a run in the second inning. With one out, Jaylen Hubbard was hit by a pitch and Cole Coffey walked. Luke Sherley followed with an RBI single to center field. The Chants then turned a double play to limit the damage.
The Chants answered with a run of their own in the top of the third. Ewing hit a leadoff single and moved to third on a Kyle Skeels single up the middle. Billy Cooke's fly ball to left-center field was deep enough to easily score Ewing to knot the game.
In the fifth, Ewing scored Coastal's second run, this time on a one-out, solo home run to left-center field for his fourth round-tripper of the season.
The Bobcats answered with a run of their own in the home half of the fifth to tie the game at 2-2. Sherley had a leadoff single and moved to third on a single by Jacob Almendarez. Derek Scheible flied out to his counterpart in centerfield and the ball was deep enough to score Sherley.
The Chants regained the lead in the top of the sixth. Kevin Woodall Jr., delivered a one-out single and, two batters later, Kieton Rivers reached on a Bobcat error. For the third time in the game, Ewing was involved in a CCU run as he chopped an RBI single through the left side of the infield to drive in Woodall.
Much as Ewing was a thorn in Texas State's side, Sherley was for Chants as he, like Ewing, has accounted for all three of his team's runs. Sherley had a one-out single and scored on an RBI double by Felipe Rodriguez to tie the game for a third time, 3-3.
Coastal bounced back to take a 4-3 lead in the top of the eighth. With two outs, Lancaster hit his second home run of the season as his ball skipped off the top of the wall in deep left-center field.
Texas State got the tying run on base thank thanks to a walk, but Coastal turned a double play to end the contest.
Home Runs Give Apps 12-4 Win over No. 14 Louisiana
LAFAYETTE, La. – For only the fourth time since 2010, Appalachian State University baseball launched four home runs en route to a 12-4 victory over No. 14 Louisiana on Saturday afternoon at Russo Park.
The Mountaineers (9-10, 1-1 Sun Belt) had four players with multi-RBI performances as they handed the Ragin’ Cajuns (10-6, 1-1 Sun Belt) just their second loss all-time in games started by pitcher sophomore Nick Lee (11-2).
Appalachian handed 14th-ranked Louisiana its third game this season with 10-plus hits allowed and second time with 10-plus runs allowed as the bats caught fire early in the second inning when Drake Zupcic singled to center field to score both Matt Brill and Chandler Seagle. Calev Grubbs followed that up immediately with another two-RBI single to center field, plating both Zupcic and Tyler Stroup.
Matt Vernon led the way offensively with three hits on five at-bats getting a solo leadoff home run in the third inning. Stroup also got a leadoff solo homer, jacking the 3-1 hitter’s count pitch to left field in the seventh, for his second home run of the week and fourth of the season.
Brian Bauk continued on with the steady offensive attack with a clutch, two-out RBI single to right field in the eighth inning to bring in Vernon.
The derby continued into the top of the ninth in the final at-bat for the Mountaineers. Jason Curtis knocked a moonshot to left to bring in Grubbs and Zupcic – his first home run of the season. Conner Leonard then tight-roped one down the left-field line for a two-RBI home run – his first of the season.
Right-handed pitcher Colin Schmid earned his third win of the year, going 7.0 innings and just allowing six hits and four runs, only two earned, while striking out four of 30 batters faced. Closing the game for App State was Reed Howell, who gave 2.0 fine innings, only allowing two hits and punching out two to get the save.
The Mountaineers will conclude the series against No. 14 Louisiana on Sunday, March 19 with it all knotted up at 1-1. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. eastern. Fans can stream and listen to the finale online by heading over to the schedule page on appstatesports.com/baseball.
GADDIS LOSES NO-NO IN 8TH BUT GSU WINS ON JONES' HR
ATLANTA -- Freshman Hunter Gaddis took a no-hitter into the eighth inning and Justin Jones hit the go-ahead home run in the bottom of the eighth as Georgia State evened its series with UT Arlington with a 2-1 victory Saturday at the GSU Baseball Complex.
Gaddis, the 6-5 right-hander, was nearly perfect for the first seven innings, allowing just one walk, which was erased by a double play, and one hit batter while striking out six. That gave the rookie from Sequoyah High School in Canton 18 straight scoreless innings since moving into the starting rotation two weeks ago.
"At a time when we really needed it, I think that was one of the best pitching performances in Georgia State history," head coach Greg Frady said. "We're scuffling a little bit right now and we needed to get their bats quieted, and Hunter took that to extreme. Pitching into the eighth was more that he had done, but I certainly was going to give him every opportunity to finish that game. He just hit a little bit of a wall, but he was the difference in us winning today.
"He had a four pitches going today. He mixed it well and did a good job of keeping them off balance, and we found a way to win the game."
But Quinton Rohrbaugh led off the top of the eighth with a solo home run to left field, tying the game at 1-1. Gaddis got the next two hitters on a strikeout and a flyout before pinch hitter Christian Hollie singled up the middle to end Gaddis' day.
UTA then loaded the bases with two walks, but Logan Barnette came on and got Omar Salinas to fly out to end the inning.
With one out in the bottom of the eighth, Jones, the Panthers' shorstop, hit his first homer of the season and the second of his career with a solo shot down the line in left field to put GSU back on top, 2-1.
"That was Justin Jones being Justin Jones. He is big in big moments," Frady said.
The Mavericks mounted one more rally in the ninth as Will Olson and Rohrbaugh singled with one out to put runners at first and second. Barnette struck out Noah Vaughn for the second out but hit Zac Cook to load the bases. Barnette (3-0), the sophomore side-armer, then got Hollie to ground out to end the game.
UT Arlington starter Trae Patterson (1-2) nearly matched Gaddis, allowing just one run on one hit until Jones' homer.
Cam Sperry drove in the Panthers' first run with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning, bringing home Jones, who reached on an error.