LITTLE ROCK, ARK. –
Luke Drumheller laced a two-run double into the left field corner, with two outs in the top of the 14
th inning, to break a 2-2 tie, and help App State to a 5-3 victory over Little Rock on Friday, to claim the opening game of the series.
Andrew Greckel led off the 14
th frame for the Mountaineers (8-12, 2-2) with a single to center field, and two batters later
Jacob Whitley singles through the right side to put runners at first and second.
After Little Rocked dipped into their bullpen,
Andrew Terrell grounded into a fielder's choice, putting runners at the corners with two outs. That's when Drumheller stepped to the plate and ripped the second pitch of the at-bat the opposite way, to put the Mountaineers back in front.
Alex Aguila followed with a single to left to score Drumheller and push the lead to 5-3.
App State held a 2-1 lead with two-outs in the ninth, when Little Rock (10-9, 0-4) shortstop Jorden Hussein, forced extra-innings with an RBI single to center field.
The Mountaineers struck first in the ballgame, when
RJ Johnson blasted his first collegiate home run, a solo shot to right field, with one out in the third inning. After Little Rock answered with a run in the bottom half of the frame to knot the score at 1-1, Greckel led off the fourth inning with a solo shot of his own to push App State ahead, 2-1.
The Mountaineer's pitching staff worked in and out of trouble throughout the night.
Tyler Tuthill allowed just one run over 5.2 innings, striking out four, despite allowing eight hits and three walks.
Tuthill escaped a bases loaded jam in the third inning, allowing just a run, and after his exit in the sixth,
Cameron Kepley wiggled out of a bases loaded situation to keep the lead intact.
Cameron Carter struck out three in 1.1 innings in relief, before
Eli Ellington forced extra innings, and ultimately worked 3.1 scoreless in relief, striking out three.
Grey LaSpaluto earned the win for App State, tossing two scoreless frames in relief and striking out three. Mountaineer pitching stranded 19 runners on base in the ballgame, and held the Trojans to 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
Game two of the series is set for Saturday at 7 P.M. ET. The 2022 App State Baseball season is presented by Chick-fil-A.
