SUN BELT
ARKANSAS STATE 14, MURRAY STATE 6
Arkansas State (10-11) used 15 hits, including seven extra-base hits, to defeat Murray State (8-17) in a nonconference game Tuesday at Reagan Field in Murray, Ky.
Collin Massanelli had a big day in his first start of the season as the senior outfielder went 4 for 5 with 1 double, 1 triple, 1 RBI and 2 runs scored. Matt Burgess had three hits, including his first home run of the season, and three RBI.
ASU trailed 5-3 after Murray State scored a run in the bottom of the fourth, but the Red Wolves struck back with four runs in the top of the fifth. A walk, a bunt single and an error loaded the bases for Joe Schrimpf, who delivered a double down the left-field line that cleared the bases to give ASU a 6-5 advantage. The Racers’ Tanner Edge, who relieved Racer’s starter John Lollar earlier in the inning, struck out the next two batters, but Zach George singled home Schrimpf for a 7-5 lead.
Burgess extended ASU’s lead to 9-5 when he hit a 1-1 pitch over the left-field fence with George on base in the top of the seventh inning.
ASU put the game out of reach with a five-run ninth inning that began with a walk to Stuart Levy and a double by Tanner Ring off the center-field wall. A wild pitch scored Levy and Massanelli drove in Ring with a single up the middle to put ASU on top 11-5.