UAM 8, NWMSU 7 - BOX SCORE
UAM 11, NWMSU 1 - BOX SCORE
MONTICELLO — The University of Arkansas at Monticello baseball team completed a three-game sweep over Northwest Missouri State on Saturday with 8-7 and 11-1 wins at home to increase the team’s overall record to 4-3.
The Boll Weevils had to come from behind in the first game of Saturday’s double-header despite holding a 6-1 lead after the first two innings.
After scoring one run on passed ball in the bottom of the first, UAM scored five runs in the second, highlighted by a two-RBI double from senior Taylor Eaves and a two-RBI triple from senior Hunter Allday.
The Bearcats (0-3) responded with six unanswered runs over the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to take a 7-6 lead heading in the final two innings. UAM tied the score at 8-all in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI single from junior Tyler Caruthers to score junior D’Marco Poindexter, who walked and moved to third on a single from Eaves.
After giving up a pair of doubles in the seventh, UAM senior reliever Brent Noble allowed only one base runner in the final two innings, setting up UAM’s chance of winning in the bottom of the ninth.
The Boll Weevils did just that. Sophomore designated hitter Bronson Gillam drew a walk to lead off the frame and was replaced on the bases by junior JD Deloach. Junior Ben Agredano sacrificed himself on a bunt to get Deloach into scoring position at second base. Junior Stephen Martinez followed with a game-winning double to left field to score Deloach from third.
Noble (2-0) earned the win in relief, allowing just one run off two hits with a walk in the final three innings. Bearcat reliver Carson Smith (0-1) took the loss after allowing the winning run in the ninth. Smith allowed that run off three hits with one walk in 0.2 innings of work.
In the second half of Saturday’s twin bill, UAM used a four run first inning, highlighted by a two-RBI double from senior Danny Loya, to take an early lead.
After the Bearcats scored their lone run of the game on wild pitch in the top of the fifth, UAM answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame, including a bases-loaded walk from Loya and an RBI single from junior Johnny Wolf.
UAM added four more runs in the bottom of the eighth to capture the run-rule victory. UAM used an RBI double from Agredano, another bases-loaded walk from Loya and an RBI-single from Wolf to get to double-digits in runs. Junior Alex Lang picked up an RBI fielder’s choice to end the game on a play that scored Bronson Gillam from third.
Wolf and Loya each had impressive performances at the plate. Wolf was a perfect 5-for-5, while Loya went 1-for-3, but picked up a game-high four runs batted in. Taylor eaves went 3-for-4 and Agredano went 2-for-4.
The Boll Weevils drew a total of eight walks in the final win over the Bearcats.
Senior Kenny Marshall (1-0) picked up the win after holding the Bearcats to just one run off two hits with three strikeouts and six walks in the first 5.1 innings of the game. Senior reliever Eddie Smith finished one out away from being eligible for the save after tossing 2.2 innings of no-hit baseball with three strikeouts to close out the game.
Ryker Fox (0-1) took the loss for NWMSU, allowing our runs off six hits with two strikeouts and two walks in the first four innings.
The Boll Weevils continue their eight-game home stand on Wednesday against the nation’s second-ranked Delta State Statesmen. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Weevils Field.
