ARKADELPHIA, Ark.  – Henderson State’s Gip Hendrix smashed a two-run homerun in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Reddies a 5-3 win over the University of Arkansas at Monticello on Saturday in the first game of a three-game Gulf South Conference series.

 

It was 2-all prior to Hendrix’s homer, followed by later by an RBI single from Lee Harris to give HSU (29-16, 10-8 GSC) their final run of the game.

 

The Boll Weevils (20-24, 4-14 GSC) answered in the top of the ninth, but with only one run off an RBI single by junior Michael Diffie.

 

The Reddies started the game’s scoring with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning off an RBI single John Waylock and a sac fly by Harris.

 

UAM answered in the top of the third on an RBI single by senior Tyler Henry, plating senior Matt Whiting, who doubled in the previous at bat.

 

The Boll Weevils tied the game in the fourth on an RBI single by Diffie, who finished the game a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with three singles and a walk.

 

Henry (1-2) was saddled with the loss, after allowing all five runs (four earned) off eight hits with two strikeouts and three walks in 7 2/3 innings of work. HSU starter Jonathan Dooley (6-2) went the distance, allowing three runs off 12 hits with nine strikeouts and three walks.

 

The two squads are set to conclude the series on Sunday with a double-header starting at noon at Clyde Berry Field on the HSU campus. It is the season finale for the Boll Weevils, while the Reddies have qualified for next weekend’s GSC Championship Tournament.