RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Harry Gard, Tristan Thomas and Evan Hafley all turned in three-hit performances, helping the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boy baseball team (10-7, 5-1 GAC) hand No. 1 Delta State (13-1, 6-0 GSC) its first loss of the season, defeating the Statesmen 6-4 at Boo Ferriss Field on Wednesday afternoon.
 
NEXT UP

• Arkansas Tech will return to the field on Friday Mar. 1 as the Wonder Boys return to conference play to host Southeastern Oklahoma. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Live video and statistics can be found at arkansastechsports.com

ARKANSAS TECH LINEUP

1. Britt Stroth (LF)
2. Korey Thompson (SS)
3. Harry Gard (RF)
4. Riley Hickerson (CF)
5. Tristan Thomas (3B)
6. Zack Kesterson (2B)
7. Jonathon Arrieta (1B)
8. Evan Hafley (DH)
9. Matt Robbins (C)

Drake Norton (P)
 
DELTA STATE LINEUP

1. Brett Young (CF)
2. David Herrington (3B)
3. Darek Sargent (SS)
4. Matthew Majeur (LF)
5. Jake Barlow (2B)
6. Hayden White (1B)
7. Payton Lane (DH)
8. Josh Russell (C)
9. Michael Allen (RF)

Christian Day (P)
 
SCORING PLAYS

• Tech 1^st – H. Gard advanced to second on a wild pitch; K. Thompson scored on a wild pitch. (Tech 1, DSU 0)
• Tech 1^st – T. Thomas singled to left field, RBI (1-1); R. Hickerson advanced to second; H. Gard scored. (Tech 2, DSU 0)
• DSU 3^rd – D.Herrington doubled down the rf line, RBI (1-2); M. Allen advanced to third; P. Lane scored. (Tech 2, DSU 1)
• Tech 4^th – K. Thompson flied out to lf, SF, RBI (1-1); E. Hafley scored. (Tech 3, DSU 1)
• Tech 6^th – M. Robbins singled to right field, RBI; E. Hafley advanced to third; J. Arrieta scored. (Tech 4, DSU 1)
• Tech 6^th – B. Stroth reached on a fielder's choice, RBI (3-2); M. Robbins advanced to third; E. Hafley scored. (Tech 5, DSU 1)
• Tech 6^th – H. Gard singled to left field, RBI (0-0); K. Thompson advanced to second; B. Stroth scored. (Tech 6, DSU 1)
• DSU 8^th – Brett Young singled to right field, RBI (1-1); Luke Ketchum advanced to second; Josh Russell scored, unearned. (Tech 6, DSU 2)
• DSU 8^th – D. Sargent reached on a fielder's choice, RBI (3-2); D.Herrington out at second ss to 2b; Brett Young advanced to third; Luke Ketchum scored, unearned. (Tech 6, DSU 3)
• DSU 8^th – Jake Barlow reached on a fielder's choice, RBI (0-1); M. Majeur out at second ss to 2b; D. Sargent advanced to third; Brett Young scored, unearned (Tech 6, DSU 4)

OF RECORD

• Winning pitcher – Drake Norton (1-1)
• Losing Pitcher – Christian Dye (1-1)
• Save – Ty Johnson (1)

NOTABLES

• Arkansas Tech scored the first runs of the game, taking an early 2-0 lead, highlighted by Tristan Thomas single that scored Harry Gard.
• The Wonder Boys outhit Delta State 14-6.
• Gard extended his hitting streak to nine games after going 3-for-5 with an RBI.
• Both Evan Hafley and Tristan Thomas notched three-hit performances as well as Hafley went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and Thomas went 3-for-5 with an RBI.
• Both Riley Hickerson and Britt Stroth added hits and have now reached base safely in all 16 games this season.
• Drake Norton got his first win of the season after allowing four runs over eight hits in 8.0 innings of work.
• Ty Johnson picked up his first save of the season after pitching a scoreless ninth.