STATE DIVISION I COLLEGE BASEBALL ROUNDUPS

ARKANSAS STATE 14, GEORGIA STATE 1

Arkansas State University (16-14, 5-5 Sun Belt) opened a 7-1 lead after six innings, then tacked on seven more in the bottom of the eighth in routing Georgia State (11-18, 1-9) at Tomlinson-Kell Field in Jonesboro.

Every ASU starter scored at least one run, with shortstop Grant Hawkins leading the offensive attack by going 2 for 4 with 2 hits and 3 RBI. Center fielder Garrett Rucker had a double and 3 RBI for the Red Wolves, while designated hitter Tobias Johnson went 2 for 3 and scored 4 runs.

Bo Ritter (2-1) picked up the victory for ASU, going 5 1/3 innings, allowing 5 hits and the 1 Georgia State run while striking out 9.

Cam Sperry’s solo home run in the fifth inning was the lone Georgia State run.

TEXAS STATE 7, UALR 3

Theodore Hoffman’s three-run home run in the top of the first inning got Texas State (15-9, 5-2 Sun Belt) rolling before the Bobcats put the game away with three more in the sixth in defeating host University of Arkansas at Little Rock (10-20, 3-7) at Gary Hogan Field.

Despite tying his career high with 11 strikeouts, UALR starter Cory Malcom (2-2) picked up the loss as he allowed 7 runs — 5 earned — on 5 hits and 6 walks. UALR relievers Justin Garcia, Jacob Rateliff, McKinley Moore and Matt McDowell combined to finish the game, allowing no base runners while striking out 3 Bobcats.

Texas State’s Connor Reich (2-2) earned the victory, tossing 7 innings and striking out 3 while allowing 3 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks.

UALR’s Hunter Owens and Danny Mitchell each went 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run. It was the 14th multiple-hit game of the season for Owens, who has now reached base in 12 consecutive games.

One of Owens’ hits was a first-inning triple. Cameron Knight’s RBI single trimmed the deficit to 3-1.

CENTRAL ARKANSAS 4, HOUSTON BAPTIST 3

Hunter Strong’s home run and two doubles led the University of Central Arkansas (16-15, 6-7 Southland) to a come-from-behind victory over Houston Baptist (13-14, 5-5) at Husky Field in Houston.

Strong’s two-run home run to right field in the top of the eighth inning tied the game at 2-2 and sparked a four-run inning. Rigo Aguilar then singled up the middle and scored the go-ahead run on Eddy Sanchez’s base hit to right field and a throwing error by the Houston Baptist right fielder. Senior shortstop Brooks Balisterri followed with another RBI single to center that brought in Sanchez and made it 4-2.

The Huskies got one run back in the bottom of the eighth, but Ty Tice finished it off with a strikeout and two flyball outs.

Starter Tyler Gray pitched 6 strong innings, allowing 8 hits and 2 runs and striking out 4. Brandon Hagerla pitched a scoreless seventh and got his teamhigh fourth victory before turning it over to Tice. He pitched the final two innings, allowing a single run and striking out three and getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth to earn his team-high third save.

Strong, the Southland leader in hits with 51, finished 3 for 4, while Aguilar went 2 for 4. The Huskies outhit the Bears 11-8 but left 11 runners on base, including the bases loaded in the eighth.

The Bears now have won eight of their past 10 games.