Little Rock, AR – Contributed – Arkansas State (13-5, 0-0 SBC) erupted with nine runs in the top of the ninth inning at Little Rock (8-8, 0-0 OVC) to secure the win Tuesday afternoon at Gary Hogan Field.
Ashton Quiller led off the game with a statement, slugging his fourth home run of the season, his second time leading off a game with a homer this season. Kole Turner had a strong first frame, going three up, three down with two strikeouts.
A-State threatened again with a double from Jake Henry Williams, but was unable to score him in the second. Four straight hits for Little Rock scored three runs in the bottom of second to end Turner’s day.
Ryan Ashford tossed 3.0 innings, relenting only one hit against 10 total batters faced.
Both squads were quiet in the third inning, and A-State scored their second run in the fourth after Cross Jumper doubled off the wall, advanced on an infield groundout, then ran over home plate after an infield error at first base.
An eight-pitch walk from Kaden Amundson represented the tying run, who made his way home off an Ashton Quiller double at the top of the wall in right-center. A-State continued to pour it on after an intentional walk of Lane Walton let Evan Griffis rock a three-run home run out of left-centerfield for the 6-3 lead.
The Trojans worked in one run in the sixth inning and another in the seventh to keep around, but A-State found the resolve and strung together a big ninth inning. Back-to-back walks to begin the inning put the Red Wolves in prime position, with an infield error starting a fire drill to score one run. An intentional walk of Quiller led Lane Walton to approach the plate with bases loaded. Walton dropped a single into the outfield to send two runners home.
Patrick Engskov and Griffis then followed up Walton with two doubles to each score one run, leaving Arkansas State with a 12-6 lead.
Cooper Garrison took the mound in the seventh inning and commanded the final three innings, including retiring the first two batters of the ninth inning on strikeouts.
Win: Ryan Ashford (2-0)
Loss: Blake Van Cleeve (0-1)
Save: Cooper Garrison (2)
UP NEXT
A-State opens conference play at home against No. 7 Southern Miss this weekend, with game one scheduled for Friday, March 13 at 6 p.m.
