SUN BELT
UALR 16, GEORGIA STATE 1
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock scored runs in three of the first four innings, taking a run-rule shortened victory over Georgia State on Sunday at Gary Hogan Field in Little Rock.
The victory for UALR (21-30, 11-16 Sun Belt) put the Trojans into the Sun Belt Tournament for the second consecutive year.
UALR had 13 hits, but were also walked 13 times by Georgia State (20-31, 8-19) pitchers. The last time UALR batters were walked that many times came in a game last season, also against Georgia State.
Chandler Fidel (3-7) got the victory, giving up 4 hits and striking out 4 in 5 innings. The loss went to Bryce Conley (2-7), who have up 6 runs on 3 hits, while walking 4 and striking out 1 in 11/3 innings.
Zach Baker was 4 for 5 for UALR while Dalton Thomas and Nick Gifford hit home runs for the Trojans.
The game was called after the top of the seventh because of the Sun Belt’s 10-run rule on travel days.
GEORGIA SOUTHERN 6,
ARKANSAS STATE 1
A three-run home run by Tyler Martin in the third inning gave Georgia Southern (35-17, 17-10 Sun Belt) all it needed to drop Arkansas State (23-26, 11-16) at J.I. Clements Stadium in Statesboro, Ga.
The Red Wolves managed six hits on the day, but were only able to push across a single run when Grant Hawkins singled to open the fourth then stole second. Jeremy Brown struck out but a single by Justin Felix scored Hawkins. Georgia Southern scored its 6 runs on 8 hits and scored 3 runs in the third and fifth innings. The Eagles registered eight hits and scored six runs powered by two, three-run innings in the third and fifth.
Georgia Southern starter Seth Shuman earned the victory, pitching 6 innings, allowing 6 hits, striking out 3 and walking no one. Peyton Culbertson took the loss for the Red Wolves, pitching 4 1/3 innings while giving up 4 runs on 4 hits, walking 4 and striking out 5
SOUTHLAND
SE LOUSIANA 3,
CENTRAL ARKANSAS 2
Southeastern Louisiana took advantage of a home run by Webb Bobo in the second inning and Derrick Mount scoring on a groundout in the fourth, giving the Lions (34-16, 20-10 Southland) all they needed to sweep Central Arkansas (28-23, 15-12) at Pat Kenelly Diamond in Hammond, La.
For the Bears, it was their first conference series loss since since March and only the second time they have been swept this season.
UCA cut the deficit to a run in the fifth. Designated Hitter Dusty Wright led off with a walk and sent to second on a hit by Eddy Sanchez. After a sacrifice bunt moved both runners up, Keaton Presley singled to center scoring Wright. Sanchez scored on a fielder’s choice to set the final margin.
Carlisle Koestler (4-3) got the victory for the Lions, giving up 4 hits in 5 2/3 innings while striking out 2. Mark Moyer (5-3) took the loss for the Bears, giving up 8 hits in 3 innings and walking 1.