Troy, AL – Contributed – Arkansas State (19-11, 6-5 SBC) benefited from two multi-RBI home runs to score all six runs in the 6-4 win at Troy (14-17, 5-6 SBC) Friday night at Riddle-Pace Field.
The Red Wolves attacked early, getting two runners on in the first inning and one in the second, but were unable to score any. Defensively, Jack Nelson only allowed one hit in the two innings.
A-State stayed active again in the third, a leadoff Joey McLaughlin single, followed by a two-out rally. Derek Martinez watched a four-pitch walk, then Aidan Houseworth loaded the bases after taking a ball to the shoulder. Evan Griffis rocked a grand slam ball out to left-center field for the explosive four-run lead.
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Troy sent one out of the park for two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Nelson’s night ended with 4.0 innings, four hits, two runs, a walk, and four strikeouts.
Brett Foss entered in relief for Arkansas State, where he sent the first six batters faced back to the dugout as both teams held the 4-2 score until the 7th inning. A leadoff walk from Hosueworth acted as the setup for Patrick Engskov to drive a home run just off the left field foul pole to reset the Red Wolf lead to four.
Foss handled 3.1 innings in total, allowing four hits and two runs in total after Troy swung for two doubles in a row, then an RBI single. A-State called to the bullpen for Cooper Garrison, who drew a 4-6-3 double play to hold the Trojans off heading into the ninth.
A leadoff hit for Troy sent the tying run to the plate, but Garrison forced a pair of flyouts, then a groundout to second to secure his fifth save of the season.
- Win: Brett Foss (2-0)
- Loss: Matt Dill (2-2)
- Save: Cooper Garrison (5)
A-State will face Troy on Saturday, April 3, at 12 p.m. to determine the series.
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