@AStateBaseball Rewrites Record Book in 31-7 Win at ULM
MONROE, La. (3/24/18) – The Arkansas State baseball team registered its best offensive game in school history as the team scored a school-record 31 runs in a 31-7 victory at ULM Saturday afternoon at Warhawk Field for its first league win of the season.

The 31 runs broke the school record of 28, which was set in a 28-13 win over Memphis to conclude the 1992 season, and A-State (9-11, 1-4 SBC) also tied the school records for home runs in a game (8) and hits (26). The eight homers tied the mark set at UALR on April 10, 2005 and the Red Wolves entered the game with just seven on the year. The 26 hits tied a record set in 1994 versus Little Rock. Additionally, the team drove in 29 of those runs to break the record of 26 in the 1992 game against Memphis.

On a national scale the eight home runs are tied for the second most in a NCAA Division I game this season, while the 31 runs are tied for the fourth most in the nation this year. Arkansas State tallied 54 total bases in the game for the second most in school history and the second most in the country so far in 2018.

10 different players picked up hits in the contest, while nine drove in runs. Tobias Johnson went 4-for-6 with a career-best six RBI as the Curtis, Wash., native hit two home runs, tripled, and scored four runs. Winston Welch also notched a four-hit effort for a career high and hit the first two round trippers of his career. A native of Tucson, Ariz., Welch drove in a career-best four runs and scored a career-high four times.

Grant Hawkins drove in a career-high four runs and tied a career high with four hits, while Jeremy Brown tied his career high with four RBI. Kyle MacDonald tied a career best with four hits, drove in three runs, and hit his third homer of the season. Casey Vaughan hit his first home run of the season and scored five runs to account for the most scored by an A-State player this season. Cullen Ray connected for a home run in the game and drove in four, while fellow freshman Jaylon Deshazier hit his third home run of the season.

Not to be lost in all of the offensive accolades is A-State starter Nate Alberius, who limited the Warhawks (12-10, 2-3 SBC) to just three runs (all earned) on six hits with three walks and four strikeouts. All three runs came around to score in the bottom of the fourth to trim the A-State lead to 17-3 at the time. Payton Lannon tossed an inning in relief, while Chase Nix allowed two runs over the final two frames to finish the game.

The scoring began early and often for A-State as the squad put up nine runs in the top of the first on seven hits, all singles. The first seven reached base against ULM starter Trey Jeans before he was pulled in favor of Richard Hebert. The nine runs were the most in a single inning for the team since May 25, 2017 when A-State scored 11 against Georgia State in the bottom of the fifth in the opening round of the SBC Tournament.

Vaughan connected on his solo shot in the top of the second before seven more runs scored in the top of the third to push the score to 17-0. Johnson tripled home the first run of the third before MacDonald (solo) and Welch (two-run) cranked home runs later in the frame. The team didn’t score in the fourth, but put up eight runs in the fifth and sixth innings to move ahead 25-3. Johnson hit a three-run shot in the fifth, while Ray smoked a three-run homer to left-center field in the sixth.

Welch and Johnson hit solo shots in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively, while ULM scored two in the seventh to set the score at 27-5. A-State, just two runs shy of setting a new school record in the ninth, got the two runs it needed when Deshazier belted a two-run dinger to put the squad ahead 29-5. Two more runs came around before ULM added two in the bottom half to set the final at 31-7.

Arkansas State, who was shut out in Friday’s game 2-0, and ULM play the rubber game Sunday afternoon. First pitch from Warhawk Field is set for 1 p.m.

Coastal Sweeps DH and Series With 7-3 Win over Texas State
CONWAY - Coastal Carolina scored four runs thanks to four errors in the third inning and held on for a 7-3 victory over Texas State in game two of the Saturday doubleheader at Springs Brooks Stadium.

Texas State (14-8-1, 3-3) made it interesting by loading the bases with two outs in the ninth. However, Shaddon Peavyhouse struck out the final batter, one of CCU's 12 punch out of the game, to seal the win for Coastal (19-7, 6-0).

Texas State once again scored first and once again it was in the second inning. Jaylen Hubbard started the inning by being hit by a pitch and moved to third on a double by Derek Scheible. Hubbard later scored on a passed ball.

Coastal grabbed a 4-1 lead in the third thanks to four Bobcat errors. Seth Lancaster walked and Kevin Woodall Jr., was hit by a pitch. Lee Sponseller lined an RBI double down the right field line to score Lancaster. Woodall also scored on the play thanks to a throwing error. A second error by the Bobcats in the frame allowed Sponseller to score, putting Parker Chavers at second and Michael Koenig at third. A third error in the frame allowed Chavers to score for a 4-1 lead.

The Bobcats cut their deficit in to one, 4-3, with two runs in the fifth. Luke Sherley chopped a single over the third baseman's head and, two batters later, moved to third on a double by Ryan Newman. Sherley scored on an RBI ground out and Jaylen Hubbard followed with an RBI single to right.

The Chants answered with two runs in the bottom of the fifth to go up 6-3. Sponseller walked. Chavers singled to center and the sixth error of the game allowed Sponseller to score, putting Chavers on third. Chavers later scored on a wild pitch.

Coastal took a four-run lead, 7-3, in the seventh. With bases loaded, Chavers plated Lancaster with an RBI ground out to provide the final score.

Zack Hopeck (2-2) did allow seven hits in five innings, but only allowed three runs (two earned) and two walks while striking out six. Davie Inman and Peavyhouse had the same pitching line over the final four innings. Both allowed one hit and two walks over two scoreless inning while fanning three batters.

Mavs Power Past Little Rock To Even Series
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Four UTA sluggers belted home runs - including the first career homers from Zac Cook and David Renning - as the Mavericks pounded out 15 runs on 20 hits in a 15-13 win at Little Rock to even the three-game series, on Saturday afternoon at Gary Hogan Field.

UTA (11-10, 4-1 Sun Belt) set season highs in hits, homers and runs in the pasting of Little Rock (12-10, 3-2 Sun Belt) to even the three-game series and set up a rubber match on Sunday. The Mavs scored seven runs in the first four innings and used a grand slam in the seventh to plate five and take an imposing advantage.

LEADING THE MAVS
Sophomore Zac Cook and senior Christian Hollie had career days at the dish for the Mavericks. Cook drove in a career-high six as part of a 4-for-5 game with a double and grand slam. Hollie was 3-for-7 with four RBI, a double and his second homer of the year.

Noah Vaughan had a pair of knocks, including his sixth homer of the year, and freshman David Renning cranked his first career homer and double. UTA also got a two-hit game from Omar Salinas, Josh Minjarez and Will Olson, with RJ Williams and Aaron Funk each notching hits. Williams and Funk each had a stolen base, with Williams drawing two walks.

ON THE MOUND
UTA starter Trae Patterson (1-1) worked 5.1 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits, not issuing a walk and striking out three. After a two-run homer in the sixth, UTA called on Logan Austin in relief. Austin worked two innings, allowing a pair of runs before Andrew Gross took over in the eighth and recorded the four outs, before giving way to Daniel James. James got the final out of the game for his 18th career save and second of 2018.

Little Rock starter Cole Townsend (3-1) worked two-plus innings, allowing five hits and four runs, walking one. Paulo Ortiz came on in relief in the third inning and Little Rock also used Aaron Funk, Carter Brown, Justin Garcia, McKinley Moore, Cody Daylor and Zach Ours worked in relief.

NEXT
The series will conclude on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT at Gary Hogan Field. UTA will start junior righty Ka'ikpeono Anderson (0-1, 8.05 ERA) vs. Little Rock junior southpaw Ethan Dailly (0-0, 0.93 ERA).

HOW THEY SCORED
The Mavs got on the board in the top of the first inning, as Williams drew a one-out walk and stole second base. After a second out, Hollie launched his second homer of the year over the leftfield fence, giving UTA a 2-0 lead.

Little Rock answered in the bottom of the first inning, getting a two-run homer from Matt Merino, who scored Riley Pittman, who reached on a one-out single.

The Mavs struck for the lead in the top of the second, as Renning launched his first career homer, a no-doubt blast over the leftfield fence, giving UTA a 3-2 lead.

Little Rock answered in the bottom of their second inning, getting one-out singles from James Gann and Nick Perez. Ryan Benevidez then singled off the wall in leftfield, scoring Gann.

Vaughan gave the Mavs the lead with a solo jack hit out to dead centerfield from Vaughan, his sixth of the year.

UTA rallied in the top of the fourth inning, getting a hard-hit single through the infield from Minjarez. Renning then drilled a double down the leftfield line, pushing Minjarez to third to open the frame. Funk then fought off a two-strike pitch to ground the ball to second base, scoring Minjarez. Cook then laced a RBI double down the rightfield line, scoring Renning for a three-run lead. After a Williams walk and a second out, Hollie lined a RBI single into rightfield, scoring Cook.

Troy Alexander hit his fifth homer of the year in the sixth inning to cut the lead to 7-5 in the bottom of the sixth.

UTA broke open the game in the seventh inning against Little Rock's top reliever. Minjarez and Renning led off by reaching, with Renning drawing his first career walk and Minjarez singling to left. After a pitching chance, Funk laid down a perfect bunt single to load the bases for Cook. Cook drilled a 2-1 offering over the rightfield fence, his first career homer and the first grand slam of the year for the Mavs. Williams then dropped a double into rightfield and Vaughan singled to left. Hollie followed and pounded a first-pitch double off the wall in leftfield to score Williams.

Gann hit a solo homer to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning, his first homer of the year and three straight singles scored a second run in the frame.

Olson led off the ninth with a walk and Salinas doubled to rightfield. Minjarez then hung a sac fly and Salinas scored on a Renning single to left. Cook reached on his fourth hit of the game and scored on a wild pitch.

Little Rock's Ryan Benevidez hit a homer to leadoff the bottom of the ninth and a runner was balked in with two outs. A two-run double, RBI single and RBI double plated 13 runs for Little Rock.

JAGS SCORE NINE UNANSWERED RUNS TO EVEN SERIES WITH GSU
ATLANTA – The University of South Alabama baseball team scored nine unanswered runs to defeat Georgia State 12-4 Saturday in Sun Belt Conference action at GSU Baseball Complex.

USA (13-10, 3-2 SBC) faced a one-run deficit before scoring five runs with two outs in the fourth inning, and tacked on four additional runs with three in the fifth inning and one in the eighth to even the series at one game apiece with GSU (12-11, 1-3 SBC).

South Alabama will return to action Sunday when it faces GSU at noon (CT) in the rubber match at GSU Baseball Complex.

GAME FACTS
- USA jumped out to a three-run lead in the top of the first. Dylan Hardy reached on a fielding error by GSU third baseman Romero Greer with one out in the inning, and moved to second on a two-out walk by Michael Sandle. Wells Davis followed with a three-run home run to right-center field on a 1-2 pitch from GSU right-hander Jake Rogers for a 3-0 Jaguar lead.
- USA threatened in the top of the second, but did not push across a run. Felix Aberouette drew a one-out walk in the inning, and moved to second on a single to center field by Will Luft. Travis Swaggerty then reached on hit by pitch to load the bases with one out for Hardy, who reached on a fielder's choice on a grounder to first that Panther first baseman Jack Thompson threw to home for the second out of the inning. Rogers then induced an inning-ending flyout to right field off the bat of Brendan Donovan to strand three runners and keep the GSU deficit at three runs.
- The Panthers responded with a run in the bottom of the second. Will Kilgore drew a leadoff walk in the inning, and advanced to second with no outs on a double to left field by Luke Leonard. Greer followed with a sacrifice fly to right field to plate Kilgore and cut the USA lead to 3-1.
- Sandle led off the top of the third with an infield single down the third base line, and moved to second with no outs on a walk by Davis. Sandle was picked off at second by GSU catcher Nick Gatewood for the first out of the inning. Rogers then rolled a 4-6-3 inning-ending double play off the bat of Paul Russo to keep the Panther deficit at two runs.
- GSU scored three runs in the bottom of the third to take a one-run lead. Justin Jones led off the inning with a single to center field, and advanced to second with no outs on a double to left-center field by Gatewood. Brandon Bell followed with an RBI single through the left side of the infield to score Jones and cut the USA lead to 3-2. Thompson followed with a walk to load the bases with no outs before Jake Corso reached on an RBI fielder's choice on a grounder to first that scored Gatewood to tie the game at 3-3. Kilgore then delivered a sacrifice fly to right field to score Bell for a 4-3 Panther advantage.
- South Alabama rallied for five runs on two outs in the top of the fourth to take a three-run lead. Hunter Stokes singled up the middle to lead off the inning, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Aberouette. Luft followed with a one-out walk, but GSU left-handed reliever Brandon Baker struck out Swaggerty for the second out of the frame before Hardy reached on a two-out walk. Donovan then delivered a two-out, two-run single to left field to score Stokes and Luft for a 5-4 Jaguar lead. Sandle followed with a two-run double down the left field line to plate Hardy and Donovan for a 7-4 USA advantage. Davis then delivered an RBI single to right field to score Sandle and double the Jag lead at 8-4.
- The Jags added a pair of runs in the top of the fifth for a six-run lead. Stokes led off the inning with a single to right field, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Aberouette. A single to center field by Luft put runners at the corners with one out. A throwing error on a failed pickoff attempt at first base by GSU right-hander Tyler Elwer allowed Luft to advance to second and Stokes to score from third for a 9-4 Jaguar lead. A wild pitch by Elwer moved Luft to third with one out before Swaggerty lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to score Luft and extend the USA lead to 10-4. Donovan followed with an RBI single to right-center field to score Hardy for an 11-4 advantage.
- Davis drew a leadoff walk in the top of the eighth, and advanced to third with no outs on a single to right field by Paul Russo. Stokes then reached on an RBI fielder's choice on a grounder to second that scored Davis with the final run of the game.

NOTES
- Hardy extended his on-base streak to 23 games with a two-out walk in the top of the fourth inning.
- Davis hit his second home run of the Sun Belt Conference season with a three-run shot in the top of the first, marking the third Jaguar homer in the last four contests.
- Carr tied his career high in innings pitched with seven, which also marked his longest start of the season. It was also the sixth start in as many starts this year in which he has pitched six or more innings.
- Andrew Cash recorded his first hit of the season with a pinch-hit single in the top of the ninth inning.
- Carr (3-2) allowed four runs on seven hits with four strikeouts against four walks in seven innings pitched to earn the win.
- GSU right-hander Rogers (3-2) allowed five runs on four hits with a pair of strikeouts and four walks in 3 1/3 innings in the loss.
- Five Jaguars recorded multiple hits in the game, led by Davis who went 3-for-3 with a home run, four RBIs, two runs scored and two walks. Donovan finished 3-for-6 with a double, three RBIs, one run scored and one stolen base. Sandle went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored, Stokes added two hits, one RBI and one run and Luft finished with two hits and two runs scored.
- Jaguar right-handers Tyler Perez and Chase Lambert combined for two scoreless relief innings with two strikeouts and two walks.

Troy Uses Five-Run Third to Clinch Louisiana Series
LAFAYETTE – Troy took an early 7-0 lead with five runs in the top of the third and held on for an 8-5 victory over Louisiana to clinch the Sun Belt series at Russo Park Saturday afternoon.

Troy (16-7, 3-2) staved off a fierce comeback by the Ragin' Cajuns (9-13, 1-4) to clinch the series in Lafayette for the first time since 2012.

The five-run third started when Joey Denison squared for a sacrifice bunt, but a throwing error to an absent third baseman plated two runs. Three batters after Denison scored on a wild pitch, Chase Smartt drove in two on a single up the middle to put Troy up by seven.

Smartt had already driven in one before his double – on a two-out double to open the scoring in the second inning. The junior finished 3-for-5 with three RBIs and a run scored in the game.

Not to be outdone by his catcher, senior shortstop Matt Sanders turned in a 3-for-5 performance of his own. Sanders is 7-for-9 in the series with four runs scored, a double and a walk.

Daren Osby (3-0) stayed perfect after a strong start on the mound – holding the Cajuns hitless through the first 3.1 innings of work. Osby allowed three runs on five hits in five innings of work to earn the win.

The Trojans relied on CJ Carter to shut the door and he came through, earning his fourth save of the year. Carter worked 2.2 innings of one-hit, four strikeout work to close the game.

Louisiana outscored Troy, 5-1, down the stretch to cut into the seven-run deficit, but the rally fell just short. In fact, the Cajuns had the winning run at the plate with two outs in the ninth as the bases were loaded.

Jack Burk (2-3) suffered the loss after allowing seven runs – six earned – on five hits in 2.1 innings on the mound.

Quotable – Troy head coach Mark Smartt
"We got off to a great start, jumped on them early. They made a few mistakes and we capitalized. We hit a little bit of a relaxed point, but we came in and won two games. We found a way to come through today."

Noteworthy
• Chase Smartt went 3-for-5 to set a season-high – it was his first multi-hit game of 2018. Smartt also drove in three runs for his first multi-RBI game of the season, as well.

• Matt Sanders is 7-for-9 with four runs scored in the series after a 4-for-4 night Friday and a 3-for-5 day today. He now has 62 career multi-hit games in his four years.

• Troy won the series with Louisiana for just the third time in the history of the matchup – the first two coming at home in 2011 and in Lafayette in 2012.

On Deck
The Trojans are aiming for the first ever sweep of Louisiana Sunday afternoon. LHP Max Newton (1-0, 1.36) will get called on for the start at 1 p.m.

Eagles Slug Past App State 7-1 to Open Doubleheader
STATESBORO - Georgia Southern Baseball got a grand slam from Mason McWhorter in the third inning to propel the squad to a 7-1 win over Appalachian State to open a twi-night doubleheader on Jack Stallings Field at J.I. Clements Stadium. Four Eagles tallied multi-hit games, while Seth Shuman went seven and two thirds to win his third game of the season. The Eagles and Mountaineers close the series on Saturday evening at approximately 7:50 with game two of the doubleheader.

Fans who show their ticket stub from Saturday's softball doubleheader against ULM will get free admission to both games at J.I. Clements Stadium. Please go to GSEagles.com/Tickets for additional information, as well as to purchase tickets.

SCORING INNINGS
Bottom 2nd - Singles by Steven Curry and Jason Swan, followed by a walk to Mitchell Golden loaded the bases for Mason McWhorter. The sophomore clubbed his second home run to centerfield for his first grand slam in an Eagle uniform, giving the Eagles a 4-0 lead.
Bottom 5th - A leadoff double for McWhorter sparked a two-run fifth frame that was capped by a towering two-run home run by Noah Searcy that found the pines in left, extending the lead to 6-0.
Bottom 6th - Blake Simmons got a leadoff single in the sixth and came around to score with the bases loaded on a double play up the middle. The run pushed the lead to 7-0.
Top 7th - The Mountaineers got their first run of the series with a two out single to third base by Welch. cutting the Eagle lead to 7-1.

NOTES
- Seth Shuman tossed seven and two thirds innings to improve to 3-2 on the season. He allowed one run off six hits while matching a career-high nine strikeouts
- Mason McWhorter's grand slam was the first for an Eagle batter since Logan Baldwin's slam for the ages. Baldwin's grand slam came on the opening night of the 2017 Sun Belt Tournament as the Eagles downed Louisiana.
- McWhorter's long-ball was his second of the season and the first for an Eagle batter at the friendly confines this season.
- Noah Searcy's home run was his second of the season.
- Steven Curry reached base five times in Saturday's opening game of the doubleheader with a 2-for-2 day, two walks and a hit by pitch. He scored a run and stole a base.

NEXT GAME
The Eagles and Mountaineers will close the series in the second half of the twi-night doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for approximately 7:50.