HOUSTON, Texas – The Arkansas Tech baseball team jumped out to an early lead over Central Missouri on Saturday night at Minute Made Park in Houston, but the No. 5-ranked Mules rallied from behind and went on to beat the Wonder Boys by a score of 5-3.
 
That early lead for the Wonder Boys (0-2) came in the top of the first inning as Garrett Crews connected for a two-out, two-run home run to the famed Crawford Boxes in left field. Ahead of Crews' first homer of the year, Evan Hafley had extended the inning after being hit-by-a-pitch.
 
In the bottom of the inning, Tech starting pitcher Riyan Rodriguez made quick work of the Mules (3-1) as he retired the side in order. Rodriguez matched that in the second and allowed his first base runner on a leadoff single in the bottom of the third. That initial hit was quickly erased, however, as Rodriguez picked off the runner at first. Rodriguez then got consecutive groundouts to get out of the inning.
 
In the next half inning, the Wonder Boys pushed across their third run of the game and once more, Crews was at the center of it. This time, it was Crews setting the table as he doubled down the third-base line to leadoff the top of the fourth. Josh Detweiler then singled through the right side to allow Crews to advance to third. Matt Robbins then chased home Crews on a RBI groundout to short.
 
The Mules notched another leadoff single in their half of the fourth. With the leadoff man on, Rodriguez attempted another pickoff, but this time it was errant and allowed the Central Missouri runner to take third. That put the Mules in position to score their first run a batter later on a RBI groundout to third base. There would be no further damage that inning beyond the unearned run as Rodriguez retired the next two batters.
 
In the fifth, the Wonder Boys would get a one-out single to right field off the bat of Kandon Bennett. He was then sacrificed over to second, but ultimately ended the inning caught trying to steal third. In the bottom of the frame, UCM pulled another run closer as they plated a run on a fielder's choice.
 
The Wonder Boys would get a leadoff single by Hafley in the sixth, but her was ultimately stranded at second. In the bottom of the frame, the Mules continued to apply pressure and struck for a pair of runs t to grab the lead and chase Rodriguez from the start.
 
After the go-ahead run was scored against Rodriguez, the Wonder Boys turned to the bullpen for Armando Romero. Romero would get the final out of the inning and kept it a one-run game.
 
Neither team scored in the seventh and the Wonder Boys were retired in order in the top of the eighth. In the bottom of the frame, the Mules plated their fifth and final run of the game on a clutch two-out RBI double.
 
In the top of the ninth, the Wonder Boys would put the tying run on base as they benefited from a fielding error and a hit-by-pitch, but consecutive strikeouts ended the threat and the game.
 
The Wonder Boys will now prepare for a quick turnaround for their third and final game of opening weekend at the Houston Winter Invitational as they will take on Lubbock Christian on Sunday morning. First-pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m.