ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech baseball team won their second-straight conference series of the season on Saturday as they split the doubleheader with Henderson State, losing the first game, 7-1 and winning the rubber game, 5-1.
GAME ONE
In the opener, the Wonder Boys fell behind early in the game as Henderson State scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the first on a two-run home run to the second batter in the Reddies' lineup. That initial blow by Henderson was not a knockout punch as the score remained 2-0 through three innings of play.
The Reddies would double their lead in the bottom of the fourth and added two more in the bottom of the sixth. Their final run of the game came across in the bottom of the eighth as the Reddies added insurance.
Heading into the top of the ninth, the Wonder Boys were in danger of having the Reddies flip the script from Friday night as they were still being held scoreless, but that would not hold true as
Tyler Sardelli picked up a pinch-hit RBI single to centerfield, scoring
Nick Jones, who singled earlier in the inning.
GAME TWO
With the series now even at a game apiece, the Wonder Boys found themselves trailing early once more as the Reddies scored a run in the bottom of the first. This time, however, the Wonder Boys had a quick response and tied the score immediately in the top of the second inning as
Keaton Ranallo led off and connected on a solo home run out to left field.
An inning later, the Wonder Boys surged ahead and plate four runs on two hits while also benefitting from a pair of walks, a hit-by-pitch and a passed ball.
Grant Jones led the inning off with a single to short.
Cole Dawson then sacrificed him over on a bunt.
Markos Cabranes and N. Jones then drew walks in succession to load the bases with one out. That prompted a pitching change for the Reddies, but the first batter that reliever faced,
Logan Schwenke, reached base with a RBI that leaves a mark thanks to the aforementioned hit-by-pitch.
All runners then advanced 90-feet on the passed ball allowing G. Jones to score. Ranallo then drove in the remaining two runners on base with a two-RBI single to centerfield.
That proved to be the rest of the offensive scoring by either team the rest of the game as the Wonder Boys bullpen was nails over the 4 1/3 innings.
The first one out of the 'pen for the Wonder Boys was
Will Horton as he came on and got the final out of the third inning. Horton then worked the fourth and fifth innings without allowing a run and was in position for his third win of the season after the Wonder Boys' third inning.
Simon Murray then handled the sixth and worked around a hit while picking up a strikeout.
Mason Griffin had the final three outs and picked them up in order, retiring the Reddies 1-2-3 in the seventh to secure the win.
UP NEXT
The Wonder Boys return home for a mid-week two-game series with Delta State starting on Tuesday, March 5. First-pitch for the game is scheduled for 6 p.m. from Baswell Field.
