Arkansas State used a huge ninth inning to pull away from Little Rock and secure a win Tuesday afternoon at Gary Hogan Field.
The Red Wolves scored nine runs in the top of the ninth to defeat the Trojans 12-6.
Arkansas State struck first when Ashton Quiller led off the game with his fourth home run of the season. Little Rock responded in the bottom of the second inning, collecting four straight hits to score three runs and take the lead.
The Red Wolves chipped away throughout the middle innings before regaining momentum in the fifth. Quiller drove in the tying run with a double before Evan Griffis launched a three-run home run to give Arkansas State a 6-3 advantage.
Little Rock added runs in the sixth and seventh innings to keep the game close before Arkansas State broke it open in the ninth.
Back-to-back walks started the rally before a series of hits and an error helped the Red Wolves score nine runs in the inning. Lane Walton delivered a two-run single, while Patrick Engskov and Griffis followed with run-scoring doubles to cap the outburst.
Ryan Ashford earned the win for Arkansas State after allowing just one hit in three innings of relief. Cooper Garrison recorded the save, striking out two batters while closing out the final three innings.
Arkansas State improves to 13-5 on the season and will open Sun Belt Conference play at home this weekend against No. 7 Southern Miss. Game one of the series is scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m.
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