BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Arkansas State’s hot hitting continued Wednesday at the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.
The No. 2 seeded Red Wolves pounded out 10 hits - including five for extra bases - as they routed seventh-seeded Middle Tennessee 12-1 in seven innings to open pool play at Bowling Green Ballpark.
ASU (33-21) built a 9-0 lead against the Blue Raiders (29-28) largely on the back of a six-run fifth inning, which included a two-run, basesloaded double by freshman catcher Stuart Levy and another run-scoring double from shortstop Dustin Jones.
“We were able to expand the lead, and when we got the six runs it was kind of contagious,” said ASU Coach Tommy Raffo, whose team faces No. 6 seed Troy at 3 p.m.Friday. “We fed off of each other, had some good at-bats and barreled some balls up.”
Senior right fielder Logan Uxa (2 for 4) sealed the victory with a three-run home run for a 12-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh.
“Arkansas State is a mentally tough team that came ready to play today,” Blue Raiders Coach Steve Peterson said. “They were better than us in all facets of the game.”
Senior Jacob Lee (9-1) picked up the victory, allowing 1 run on 5 hits in 7 innings.
The Blue Raiders scored their only run when shortstop Ryan Ford came home in the top of the sixth on third baseman Hank LaRue’s double-play grounder that made it 9-1.
It was the lone blemish for Lee, who appreciated the run support.
“Our offense can do that,” said Lee, who struck out four and didn’t issue a walk. “Everyone wants to do the samething and goes up there with the same mind-set, and hitting is contagious.”
Sophomore third baseman Claude Johnson, who was 2 for 3 with 2 RBI, started the Red Wolves’ rally in the bottom of the third with a double to right field to score first baseman Zach George from first base.
After starter Jonathan Sisco (5-4) was lifted for Keaton Baker, the Red Wolves made it 2-0 when designated Ryan Emery lined a single up the middle to drive in Johnson.
Right fielder Colin Massanelli homered to extend the lead to 3-0 in the fourth.
Middle Tennessee reliever Cody Tollison walked the first three batters he faced inthe fifth to load the bases before walking second baseman Zach Maggio to bring in Uxa for a 4-0 lead.
Levy doubled to right field as Emery and Johnson scored to increase the lead to 6-0. Dustin Jones doubled and Maggio scored before center fielder Michael Faulkner singled to bring home Jones and Levy and chase Tollison, who was pulled without recording an out.
At a glance WEDNESDAY’S GAMES La.-Monroe 7, S. Alabama 4 (10) Arkansas St. 12, Middle Tenn. 1 (7) Fla. Atlantic 4, W. Kentucky 3 TODAY’S GAMES All times Central Troy vs. Fla. International, 11 a.m.
Fla. Atlantic vs. La.-Monroe, 3 p.m.
S. Alabama vs. W. Kentucky, 7 p.m.
Sports, Pages 23 on 05/24/2012