RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas Tech (7-10, 2-4 Great American Conference) took advantage of two Northeastern State (6-6) errors and senior outfielder Josh Watkins hit a clutch two RBI double in the eighth inning to defeat the Riverhawks 4-1 in a non-conference baseball game Tuesday night at Tech Field.
 
NEXT UP
The Wonder Boys will return to GAC action on Friday, March 4, as they will host Southern Nazarene for a three game weekend series. The first game of the series will begin Friday night at 7 p.m. and the doubleheader will be on Saturday, March 5 with the first game starting at 12 p.m.
 
NORTHEASTERN STARTING LINEUP

1. Shane Bridges (LF)
2. Charles Sims (2B)
3. Bryce Davenport (1B)
4. Eric Kirkpatrick (C)
5. Cody Begovich (CF)
6. Thomas Murray (3B)
7. Karter Woodruff (DH)
8. Zane Takhar (SS)
9. Gabriel Wurth (RF)

 
ARKANSAS TECH STARTING LINEUP

1. Marcus Wilson (CF)
2. Kaleb Warden (DH)
3. Kyle Love (1B)
4. Mark Vaughn (3B)
5. Josh Watkins (RF)
6. Parker O'Dell (LF)
7. Dylan McDearmon (2B)
8. Blake King (C)
9. Connor Brady (SS)

 
SCORING PLAYS

• NSU 8^th - Wurth,G. doubled to right center, RBI (0-0); Takhar,Z. scored, unearned. (NSU 1, Tech 0)
• Tech 8^th - K. Love reached on a fielding error by ss, RBI (0-0); K. Warden advanced to second; M. Wilson advanced to third; C. Brady scored. (Tech 1, NSU 1)
• Tech 8^th - M. Vaughn reached on a fielder's choice, RBI (1-2 BKF); K. Love advanced to second; K. Warden out at third ss to 3b; M. Wilson scored. (Tech 2, NSU 1)
• Tech 8^th - J. Watkins doubled down the rf line, 2 RBI (1-1 KB); M. Vaughn scored; K. Love scored, unearned. (Tech 4, NSU 1)

OF RECORD

• Winning Pitcher: Geofferey Birkemeier (1-0)
• Losing Pitcher: Bobby Sehgal (0-1)
• Save: Jesse Harbin (4)

NOTABLES

• Ethan Taylor started his first game of the season, pitching four innings and giving up no runs on one hit, two walks and struck out five.
• Geofferey Birkemeier pitched four strong innings in relief, giving up just one unearned run on two hits with no walks and struck out eight of the 14 batters he faced. Jesse Harbin also pitched one inning in relief, giving up no runs on one hit, a walk, and struck out two for his fourth save of the season.
• Josh Watkins led the Wonder Boys offense with a 2-for-4 performance from the plate; recording two RBI double and also stole a base. Kaleb Warden also went 2-for-4 from the plate on the night, increasing his team-leading batting average to .406 on the season.