BASEBALL EARNS DOUBLEHEADER SPLIT WITH ALABAMA-HUNTSVILLE

        HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys Baseball team salvaged one game of the four-game series with the Alabama-Huntsville Chargers as they won game two Sunday at Joe Davis Stadium 9-4 in extra innings after dropping game one 10-5.

          UAH defeated Tech twice Saturday by the scores of 3-2 and 4-3.

Game 1 – Alabama-Huntsville 10, Arkansas Tech 5

          The Chargers managed to pick up their third straight victory over the Wonder Boys as they used 13 hits and an eight run second to give pitcher Tom Longyear his second victory of the season.

          There were a few bright spots for Tech in the ballgame, however. Senior pitcher Bryan Bachman (Mahomet, Ill.) threw three strong innings of relief for the Wonder Boys as he allowed no runs, two hits, and striking out two.

          Justin Bollig (Moore, Okla.) had a big day at the plate for Tech going 3 for 3 with a two-run homerun. Jantzen Black (Hackett, Ark.) continued to swing a hot bat in the series as he posted another 2 for 3 day at the dish. Robbie Hohler (Searcy, Ark.) was 1 for 3 in the contest, crossing home plate twice and driving in a run.

          Offensively, the Chargers were led by leadoff hitter Luke Putnam who was 3 for 4 with two RBIs. Clean-up hitter Blake Butler had three RBIs and a pair of hits, as well.

          All UAH hitters reached base safely in the contest with at least one hit.

Game 2 – Arkansas Tech 9, Alabama-Huntsville 4 (8 innings)

          Tech pounded UAH starter Patrick Grimes for seven hits over the first five innings, but needed a five run eighth inning to finish off the Chargers to get their lone win in the four game series.

          Blake Kastl (Fayetteville, Ark.) picked up the win in relief for Tech as he retired all four batters that he faced. The victory was Kastl’s first as a Wonder Boy. Corbin Holland was saddled with the loss for the Chargers. His record fell to 2-1 on the year.

          Craig Cameron (Knoxville, Iowa) got the start for Tech and threw well. He worked five and two thirds innings allowing only three runs on six hits.

          Tech held a 4-3 lead going into the bottom of the seventh inning but the Chargers successfully executed a first and third base double steal to push across the tying run to force the extra frame.

          The Wonder Boys responded with a five run inning that sealed the victory. Bollig doubled to lead off the eighth inning before designated hitter Josh Govan (Crossett, Ark.) singled up the middle, scoring Bollig, which was ultimately the winning run. Govan enjoyed three hits in the contest, including a solo homerun off of Grimes to lead off the second inning. The shot to left field was Govan’s third of the year.

          Sophomore outfielder Hayden Miller (Sherwood, Ark.) also made big contributions for Tech going 3 for 4 with two runs and three RBIs. Miller also stole his seventh base of the season in the eighth and final inning.

          Bollig managed to stay hot all day at the dish, as he finished game two going 3 for 5 with a run scored. Black also continued to be productive at the plate with a 2 for 4 performance. Black’s average after this weekend’s series is a team-best .500 (29-58).

          UAH got their four runs on seven hits throughout the contest. They were led by a 2 for 4 outing by left fielder George Washington. Putnam also had a hit and an RBI in the contest.

          The Wonder Boys are back in action this Friday, March 7 with one nine inning game scheduled against Gulf South Conference Eastern division foe North Alabama. The game’s first pitch is scheduled to be thrown at 6 p.m. 

-- Tech Athletics --