Troy Can't Complete Comeback Against Arkansas State

Friday, April 22

Jonesboro, Ark.

6 p.m.

Troy University

23-13, 9-7

Arkansas State

8-26, 3-12

Troy

Arkansas State

Troy Can't Complete Comeback Against Arkansas State

4/22/2022 9:37:00 PM | Baseball

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By: Troy Athletics Communications

JONESBORO, Ark. – Scoring runs in each of the first three innings, Arkansas State held on to the win and beat Troy 4-3 in Friday night's series opener from Tomlinson Stadium.

The Trojan comeback comes up just short after battling back in the fifth inning to get back within a run. Troy strung together three straight hits to begin the rally, starting with a Clay Stearns double and a Donovan Whibbs line drive to center field that was dropped, allowing Stearns to move to third and Whibbs to second. Then, Jesse Hall added to his team lead in RBIs bringing in his 30 and 31^st with a single.

However, an inning-ending double play with a runner on the corners saw the Trojan threat fizzle out.

Stearns, Hall, and William Sullivan were responsible for Troy's six hits in the game after finishing with two each.

Troy looked to tie the game up one last time in the ninth as they got a runner all the way to third base after Stearns's second double of the evening and his 10^th on the year. But with two outs, the Red Wolves were able to strand the runner to get their third Sun Belt win of the season.

Justin Medlin (1-4) for Arkansas State picked up his first win of the season as he goes a career-high 7.0 innings pitched, allowing only one earned run on six hits with four strikeouts and two walks.

Garrett Gainous (5-3) settled in after the third inning but picked up the loss as he held Arkansas State to four runs in 6.1 innings pitched. On 109 pitches, Gainous struck out three but walked a season-high five batters.

Troy struck first as back-to-back base hits to begin the ball game put runners on base, and an eventual error moved them into scoring position. Mock stole second with runners on the corners, and Sullivan easily scored from third after the Arkansas State throw down.

The 1-0 lead didn't last for long as the Red Wolves tied the game in the bottom half of the first after Gainous was able to work quickly to get the first two outs of the inning, but two base hits and a walk brought in a run.

Arkansas State took a 2-1 lead in the same inning after a passed ball with the bases loaded brought in the second run for the Red Wolves.

All four of the Red Wolves' runs came with two outs, with a solo home run being added in the second and the winning run coming across in the third with a single. The Trojans went on to leave seven runners on base.

Grayson Stewart entered the game in relief, holding Arkansas State scoreless and retiring all five batters he faced in order with three strikeouts.

UP NEXT: These two teams will wrap up the series tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. and the second game following 35 minutes after the first game's conclusion.