Arkansas State baseball won a close game against the Memphis Tigers on Tuesday thanks to strong pitching and some late-game clutch.

Starting pitcher Jelle van der Lelie took the mound for the Red Wolves, and threw two perfect innings. In the bottom of the second inning, center fielder Ashton Quiller took the ball deep for an RBI triple, bringing second baseman Raul Torres across the plate and breaking the scoreless tie. 

Memphis soon responded. At the top of the third inning, Tigers first baseman Shane Cox hit a fly ball to center field, but this was enough to bring across Memphis right fielder Seth Cox (no relation). Van der Lelie managed to get out of the inning by striking out the next batter swinging and getting the flyout. He was replaced by pitcher Kole Turner.

The Red Wolves scored their second run when Memphis third baseman Cy Turner committed a throwing error, allowing A-State shortstop Patrick Engskov to score an unearned run. This regained a lead for the Red Wolves.

The score remained the same for the next four innings, with both A-State and Memphis trading hits but never getting a man across. This changed in the top of the eighth. Engskov committed a fielding error, allowing Tigers centerfielder James Smith IV to score an unearned run and tie the game.

The game looked doomed to travel to extra innings, but the Red Wolves clutched up. Tigers pitcher Michael Dallas came in at the bottom of the eighth to relieve pitcher Will Howell. Dallas gave up a hit to designated hitter Drake Anderson, who had come in to pinch hit for designated hitter Jeremiah Cabuyaban. Dallas struck out Quiller swinging, but then gave up a walk.

The Red Wolves secured victory on the next at-bat. With the bases loaded, right fielder Cross Jumper smacked the ball to left field. The ball got down, Anderson and pinch hitter Cason Campbell made it home, and the Red Wolves took a 4-2 lead. Closing pitcher Chase Richter led A-State out of the top of the ninth and the Red Wolves won.

Richter was credited with the win in his relief efforts, with 1.2 innings pitched, 2 strikeouts, and allowing 2 hits. Starting pitcher Jelle van der Lelie had a good outing, striking out 4 in 3 innings pitched, giving up no walks and allowing only 1 run. Tigers reliever Michael Dallas received the loss for allowing the game deciding hit from Jumper.

First baseman Wil French, Quiller, and Jumper all had games with multiple hits. Jumper was the hero of the game, ending the game 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs.

The Red Wolves will stay home the first Sun Belt Conference series with the Marshall Thundering Herd. 

Categories: Sports