Photo by Abigail Leggett | Staff Photographer

Day at the Park ended on a sour note for the Arkansas State baseball team as they lost their mid-week game against the Central Arkansas Bears 3-2.

The game saw quite a large turnout, as many students showed up and received free hats, jerseys and food from the Student Activity Board.

Pitcher Kole Turner got the start for the Red Wolves, but struggled heavily in this game. Turner gave up 4 hits and 2 earned runs in only 3 innings. Turner’s start really collapsed in the third inning, where he gave up three hits in a row and two runs batted in. Turner was sat and relief pitcher Jack Nelson took over. 

The Red Wolves struggled offensively. A-State did not record a hit until the bottom of the third inning when center fielder Ashton Quiller knocked a single. Quiller was the only A-State batter that had a good night, as he ended the game 4 for 4 with three singles and a double. A-State scored in this inning after shortstop Patrick Engskov hit a sacrifice fly to bring Quiller across home plate. This made the score 2-1.

The Bears scored again in the top of the fourth off of an RBI double. The Red Wolves were never able to overcome the deficit, but they did get close. In the bottom of the seventh inning, right fielder Cross Jumper hit an RBI single to make the score a very winnable 3-2.

Photo by Abigail Leggett | Staff Photographer

In the bottom of the ninth, Quiller once again came up with a hit to land himself on base. First baseman Wil French was walked, and Jumper was intentionally walked to load the bases and set up the double play. This gamble worked, as Engskov grounded into the double play. Controversy arose over whether Engskov was safe at first base, as the play was close. If he was safe, then the Red Wolves would only have two outs and still be within reach of a win. Ultimately the umpires decided Engskov was out, and the game was over.

Turner was handed the loss for his outing, bringing his record to 1-2. Bears reliever Perry Titlow got the win. UCA closer Hunter Alexander recorded the save, his first of the season.

With the loss, the Red Wolves drop to 13-15 and are currently ninth in the Sun Belt Conference. A-State will travel to Conway, South Carolina to take on the nationally-ranked Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.

Categories: Sports