STATE BASEBALL ROUNDUPS
MISSOURI STATE 15, ARKANSAS STATE 5
Missouri State used a seven-run fourth inning to create separation as it came away with a victory over Arkansas State on Sunday afternoon in the rubber match of the three-game set between the two teams that was played at Hammons field in Springfield, Mo.
Daedrick Cail hit a three-run home run in the top of the second to give the Red Wolves an early 3-1 lead. Arkansas State (9-3) starting pitcher Dylan Heine lasted just 3 1/3 innings and gave up four earned runs. Jalen Martinez came on in relief of Heine and gave up three earned runs of his own while taking the loss.
Missouri State (6-5) was led by Zack Stewart who homered twice on the day. Cody Kelly, Jake McCutcheon and Jahlani Rogers also homered in the win for the Bears. Kaleb Thomas struck out four batters in three innings of work while picking up the win for Missouri State.
TARLETON STATE 5, CENTRAL ARKANSAS 1
The University of Central Arkansas dropped the finale a four-game series with Tarleton State on Sunday afternoon at Bear Stadium in Conway after falling behind early and not scoring until the ninth inning.
Tarleton State (9-4) scored three runs in the first inning, one on a Jordan Andrade single and two on a Trace Morrison double to right center field.
After seven scoreless innings, Tarleton State struck again with a solo home run by Mason Crews and an RBI single by Cole Miears to take a 5-0 lead.
UCA (7-6) scored its lone run in the ninth inning on a sacrifice-fly by Mason King. Bears starter Payton Windham (0-1) struck out 10 batters in his five innings, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks.
BELMONT 6, ARKANSAS-LITTLE ROCK 2
Arkansas-Little Rock was unable to complete a three-game sweep on the road Sunday afternoon as it fell to Belmont at E.S. Rose Park in Nashville, Tenn.
With the game tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning, Sam Slaughter hit a solo home run to right field to give Belmont (7-5) a 2-1 advantage. The Bruins would add an additional run in the fourth and another in the fifth to take a 4-1 lead.
UALR (6-5) trimmed the lead to 4-2 in the top of the eighth on a solo shot to center field from Trey Hill, but that is as close as the Trojans would get as Belmont added two insurance runs in the home half of the eighth to make the score 6-2.
Zach Busick walked five batters and gave up three earned runs while being credited with the loss for UALR. Joe Ruzicka picked up the win by striking out 5 batters and giving up just 3 hits in 8 innings of work for the Bruins. Jordan Zuger struck out both batters he faced in the top of the ninth to secure the save.