Big blast by Levy lifts ASU

LITTLE ROCK — Stuart Levy doesn’t look like a slugger.

Just don’t try to tell that to No. 3 seed Florida International after ASU’s 12-4 victory Saturday at the Sun Belt Conference Tournament at Bowling Green Park.

ASU’s catcher hit a three-run home run to spark the offense as the secondseeded Red Wolves (34-22) advanced to their first conference title game since 1994. ASU faces No. 5 seed Louisiana-Monroe (30-27) at 1 p.m. today.

But Levy said the Red Wolves aren’t feeling any pressure.

“I wouldn’t say it’s stressful,” Levy said. “I’m pretty sure guys are just up in their hotel rooms tonight playing video games and might need to be reminded we have a game.”

Levy’s swing on a breaking ball hanging belt high was the deciding blow with ASU leading 2-1 against the Golden Panthers (31-26). Florida International starter R.J. Fondren (6-7) struggled with his location over his 4 2/3 innings and ended up allowing 4 runs on 5 hits. However, Arkansas State left seven stranded in the first four innings, only scoring two runs.

Fondren wasn’t so fortunate in the top of the fifth, when right fielder Kaleb Brown reached on a fielder’s choice and Fondren gave up one of his six walks to Alex Potts with two outs.

Then, Levy drove a curveball over the fence for a 5-1 lead. It also marked the end of the day for Fondren, who was relieved by Eddy Piedermann.

“We knew we were going to break through eventually,” Levy said. “Coach [Tommy] Raffo should get all the credit for that, considering he basically redesigned my swing.”

ASU starter Cory Kyle worked efficiently in 4 2/3 innings and allowed 3 runs on 5 hits and struck out 3 batters.

He only ran into trouble in the fifth inning, when catcher Aramis Garcia scored on a groundout by first baseman Oscar Aguirre and Roche Woodard scored on a two-out single by right fielder Nate Burns to make it 5-3.

“I felt like I was cruising, but that’s FIU,” Kyle said. “They can string together a bunch of hits and make it hard on you.”

ASU reliever John Koch (1-1) came on and got cleanup hitter Mike Martinez to fly out to left-center to end the threat.

ASU added three runs in the top of the sixth, when Zach Maggio led off with a double and scored on a single by Zach George to make it 6-3.

The Red Wolves made it 8-3 when Johnson scored on a wild pitch by Mason Mc-Vay and Logan Uxa drove in George with an RBI single.