ASU rebounds

After winning its last two Sun Belt Conference series, Arkansas State University has wedged itself back into postseason contention.

The Red Wolves (17-27, 8-16 Sun Belt) are now 10th in the overall conference standings, which would give them the final seed in the Sun Belt Conference tournament.

ASU has not missed the conference tournament since 2009, and they must hold their place through the final six regular season conference games in order to return for the ninth consecutive year.

“That’s a long way off,” said ASU Coach Tommy Raffo. “For us, we have not earned it. We have to continue to play well. And if we do, we’ll hopefully get that trip. There’s no margin for error.”

The Red Wolves went 4-2 in series victories over South Alabama and Texas State.

Starting pitching had a 3.58 ERA during the stretch, and the bullpen had a 4.46 ERA.

ASU has had minimal success, which Raffo partly credits to the season-long losses of senior catcher Justin Felix (broken fibula), who was last year’s leader in RBI, and senior third baseman Alex Howard, who has missed the season with what Raffo would only disclose as a “health issue.”

Raffo said both players have been granted a medical redshirt, which allows for an extra year of eligibility.

During the Texas State series, Raffo said, the Red Wolves likely lost senior third baseman Tobias Johnson (.259 batting average, 25 RBI) for the season with a strained hamstring.