Stephen F. Austin
Arkansas-Little Rock
'Jacks Dominate Trojans To Notch 8-0 Road Win
3/31/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Stephen F. Austin 8, Arkansas-Little Rock 0
Gary Hogan Field · Little Rock, Ark.
Records: SFA (10-19); UALR (10-14)
Up Next: vs. Sam Houston State · Thursday, Apr. 2 · 6:30 p.m.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Stephen F. Austin raced out to an early lead, then relied on some strong pitching performances to shut out Arkansas-Little Rock 8-0 at Gary Hogan Field. The victory improves SFA to 10-19 on the year as the Lumberjacks notch their first back-to-back wins of the season.
SFA set the tone for the game in the top of the first inning as Matthew Dickey and Hunter Wilson, the first two batters of the game, reached base safely. Kyle Thornell then was able to bring both of them home, reaching base thanks to an error on the Trojan pitcher, giving the `Jacks the 2-0 lead. Cameron Salvaggio then ripped a single, plating Thornell and gving SFA the early 3-0 lead.
That score would stand until the sixth when the `Jacks once again struck with three runs I the inning. After recording two quick outs, UALR allowed two-out walks to Will Vest and Dickey, setting the table for Wilson who ripped a two-RBI triple down the right field line. Garrett McMullen then brought Wilson home, connecting on an RBI single on a 3-2 count, giving SFA the 8-0 lead.
The Lumberjacks then added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the ninth, thanks to an RBI from Eric DeJesus and an RBI double from Holden Holsomback, giving SFA the insurmountable eight-run edge at 8-0.
The SFA pitching staff then did what it had done all night -- shut down the Trojan bats to preserve the shutout victory for the Lumberjacks.
Eric Polivka earned the win for SFA, pitching five innings and allowing no runs on just five hits with a strikeout. The Lumberjack bullpen was incredibly solid over the final four innings as well as Patrick Day, Austin Smith, Travis Stone and Brett Burrington each pitched an inning, allowing a combined one hit with six strikeouts.
In contrast to UALR's six hits, SFA recorded a season-high 15, led by a 4-for-4 night for Dickey who scored twice. Salvaggio went 3-for-5 for the `Jacks with an RBI and a run scored while Wilson went 2-for-5 in the two-spot, scoring twice and driving in a pair of runs.
Thornell, the SLC Hitter of the Week, was just 1-for-4 but did drive in two runs with a run scored on the evening. McMullen, Holsomback, Vest, Brandon Smith and Anthony Soriano each recorded a hit on the night, giving SFA nine different players with at least one hit.
SFA now returns home to the friendly confines of Jaycees Field, opening up a key Southland Conference home stand. It begins with a three-game series against rival Sam Houston State, beginning Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Game two against the Bearkats is set for Friday at 2 p.m. with the series finale slated for Saturday at 1 p.m.
-SFA-
