LAFAYETTE, La. – With the bases loaded in the fifth inning, and
Xander Hamilton's pitch count nearing triple digits, pitching coach
Justin Aspegren paid a visit on the mound.
Hamilton (win, 5-1) responded, getting an inning-ending flyout to keep the Mountaineers in front by a run as he marched off the mound shouting in excitement. Hamilton returned to the hill to strike out the side in the sixth inning, capping a career-high 13 strikeouts on the night, as the Mountaineers (14-10, 5-2) defeated Louisiana 3-2 on Friday at Russo Park.
Hamilton's 13 strikeouts were the most in a single-game by an App State pitcher in recorded history, while the Mountaineers' 18 strikeouts as a team came within one of the program record for a game. App State's 5-2 start to conference play is its best since joining the Sun Belt in 2015.
The Raleigh, N.C., native also struck out the side in the second inning and struck out all nine hitters in the Louisiana order at least once during his outing. Hamilton allowed just two runs over six innings of work, throwing 115 pitches in the outing.
The bullpen maintained the standard that Hamilton established.
Skylar Brooks came on in the seventh inning and tossed two scoreless frames, striking out two while allowing just one baserunner.
Freshman
Jackson Steensma took over in the ninth, charged with protecting a one-run lead. Steensma wasted no time securing his fourth save of the season, as he struck out all three batters he faced to polish off the victory.
App State opened the scoring in the first inning with back-to-back singles from
Xavier Moronta and
Luke Drumheller.
Hayden Cross then plated Moronta on an RBI groundout to give the Mountaineers a 1-0 advantage. Moronta also doubled and walked, reaching base three times in the contest.
After Louisiana answered with a run in the home half of the first, App State went back in front in the third inning when they loaded the bases and forced in a pair of runs on a walk and a hit by pitch.
The middle game of the series is set for 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, with App State righty
Bradley Wilson facing off with fellow right-hander Jackson Nezuh for Louisiana. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
