MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (5-27-2010) - Arkansas State (30-26) sophomore Jacob Lee gave up just two runs in eight innings of work, and the Red Wolves' offense exploded for eight runs in the eighth inning as ASU rolled into the semifinals of the Sun Belt Conference Baseball Tournament with a 12-2 run-rule victory over the Troy Trojans (33-24).
Arkansas State led 4-1 after six innings of play, but used the big eighth inning to end the game early and advance to the semifinals for the first time since 1996.
"Even with a 4-1 lead, with the way Troy swings the bats, we knew anything could happen," said ASU head coach Tommy Raffo. "Fortunately, we had Jacob on the mound. He commanded all of his pitches, threw them early for strikes early in the count, and we made plays behind him."
Arkansas State struck first, getting a solo home run from designated hitter Jordan Castaldo in the second, but Troy countered with a solo shot from first baseman Ryan Ditthardt in the fourth to even the count at 1-1.
The Red Wolves were able to bat around in the sixth, scoring three runs on five hits. Right fielder Todd Baumgartner led off the inning with a single, then scored from first when first baseman Murray Watts doubled off the wall in right-center. Watts scored on a single from Castaldo, who later came home on a base hit up the middle from center fielder Michael Faulkner for the 4-1 ASU advantage.
An opposite-field RBI single from third baseman Tyler Smith ignited an eight-run eighth inning for the Red Wolves that put ASU on top 12-1 and put the seven-inning, 10-run rule in effect. Arkansas State also got RBI's in the frame from Faulkner, Baumgartner, Watts, shortstop Zach Maggio and a two-run hit from catcher Kyle DeGrace.
A run-scoring single from Troy designated hitter Chase Whitley drove in Troy's final run in the eighth, but Lee was able to force Ditthardt into a groundout to put the game away.
Faulkner went 4-for-5 with three RBIs, while Castaldo and DeGrace each added a 3-for-4, two-RBI effort for the Red Wolves. Lee struck out seven batters without issuing a walk, giving up the two runs on seven hits.
Whitley went 2-for-4 with an RBI to lead the Trojans, while sophomore Tyler Ray took the loss on the mound after giving up four runs on 10 hits in five and one-thirds innings of work.
The Red Wolves now advance to Friday's semifinal round, where they will await the winner of tomorrow's elimination game between Troy and Middle Tennessee. Arkansas State's semifinal round game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.
