JONESBORO, Ark. - South Alabama's (15-19, 5-10 SBC) lead through the first six innings was lost in the seventh with an Arkansas State (16-19, 7-8 SBC) surge to give the Red Wolves the series on Sunday.
South scored first with back-to-back hits from
Lucas Ismaili and
Duncan Mathews which scored
John Smith III, who reached on a walk.
Starting pitcher
Zach Willingham went 6.2 innings on 109 pitches (career best), allowing no runs while on the field. In the top of the seventh, the Jags scored their second run after Etan Melton reached second on a double and scored on an infield error.
The Red Wolves responded in the bottom of the seventh, working runners to second and third on two hits in a row, then loading the bases on a walk after Willingham was relieved. One run was walked in, and two more hits for A-State gave a 4-2 lead. ASU added an insurance run in the eighth but the Jags were unable to ally in the final two innings.
Win: Chase Richter (3-2)
Save: Cooper Garrison (1)
Loss: Dalton Brooks (1-1)
QUOTES
Head Coach Mark Calvi
Overall thoughts: Well, you know, I thought
Zach Willingham was outstanding. Tough day to hit wind blowing in. They hit some bells hard. We hit some balls hard. All you can ask, you know, we were in position to win the game. That's all you can ask for from your team. Didn't happen today. But I thought Willingham, I couldn't ask for a better effort from him. Our guys played hard. Just in the end it didn't go our way today, I told him, the energy all day long, proud of our guys. The only thing I'm disappointed in is the outcome.
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