MAGNOLIA, Ark. - A two-out RBI-single in the ninth inning by Aaron Gaela delivers the University of Arkansas at Monticello baseball team the game one win over Southern Arkansas on the road Friday. The Weevils capitalized on a costly error by the Muleriders to keep the inning alive for Gaela to drive in the game-winning run for the 4-3 victory.

UAM improves to 18-15 overall on the season and 16-12 in Great American Conference games while SAU drops to 24-11 and 20-8.

Following a quiet first inning for the Weevils, Mason Philley ran into early trouble in the bottom of the first. SAU loaded the bases with two out before the lefty shut down any scoring chance getting a fly out to center field to end the inning.

After putting two runners on in the second but coming up empty, UAM got on the scoreboard in the third inning. With runners on first and second Jordan Johnson brought in the first run of the game delivering a single back up the middle to score Cole Muckleroy. In the very next at bat Dylan Borman knocked his second double of the game into the gap in left center to drive in Andrew Piraino from second base.

The Weevils added another run in the fourth when Piraino picked up an RBI-single into center field to put UAM up 3-0.

In the bottom of the frame the Muleriders were finally able to get to Philley on the mound scoring three runs to tie the game.

The Monticello, Arkansas native settled back in on the bump following the rocky fourth inning retiring the next eight hitters he faced. Philley closed out his day on the mound leaving the go-ahead run stranded at third to end the seventh inning.

UAM turned to Ojani Chacon out of the bullpen in the eighth and he quickly retired the Muleriders in order to send the game to the ninth inning.

In the top of the ninth, Piraino worked a one-out walk to put the go-ahead run on base. Two hitters later a throwing error by the Muleriders kept the inning alive allowing Borman to reach and move Piraino into scoring position. Gaela cashed in on the mistake with an RBI-single scoring Piraino to take the lead.

Chacon punched out the first two hitters in the bottom of the frame before allowing the tying run to reach first on a single. However, that would not matter as Chacon picked up another strikeout to end the game and secure the 4-3 win for the Weevils.

Borman, Muckleroy and Piraino led the way for UAM on offense each collecting two hits. Borman and Piraino were joined by Johnson and Gaela with one run driven in apiece as well.

Chacon (W, 1-2) picked up the win dealing 2.0 scoreless innings out of the bullpen and striking out four.

Philley pitched 7.0 strong inning in the start allowing three run on six hits while adding nine punch outs.

Santos Sosa (L, 4-2) took the loss surrendering the winning run in the top of the ninth inning.

UP NEXT

UAM continues its battle with GAC-rival SAU in a doubleheader Saturday to wrap up the series. First pitch from Magnolia, Ark. is set for 2 p.m.