April 19, 2005

Box Score

JONESBORO, Ark. - (Tuesday, April 19, 2005) The Redhawks baseball team continued their struggles as they lost 3-2 to non-conference opponent Arkansas State at Tomlinson Stadium in Jonesboro Tuesday evening.

The Redhawks (13-22) grabbed a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth inning and seemed poise to revenge their 9-0 loss to the Indians (25-12) at Capaha Field on March 29. Jamie McAlister retired six of the eight batters he faced before heading into the bottom of the eighth.

McAlister retired Chris Rich on a foul pop up. Geoff Desmond then drew a walk. Hudson Smart singled to give the Indians runners at first and second with one out. Kevin Kull Jr. struck out swinging. McAlister then went ahead on the count one ball and two strikes to Brad Burkhead. McAlister threw what appeared to be the third strike to end the inning but the pitch was called a ball. Burkhead took advantage of his second life by lacing a triple to right center to drive in the tying and go-ahead run.

The Indians, who used six pitchers on the night, sent Doug Walter out in the top of the ninth. Walter retired the Redhawks in order to earn his fourth save of the season.

After falling behind 1-0 the Redhawks scored their runs in the sixth. Eric Horstman singled thru the right side. Ernie Bracamonte then reached when the Indians botched a fielder's choice giving the Redhawks runners at first and second. Frank Montiel singled to load the bases with only one out. The Indians then called on lefthander Andrew Bishop to retire the Redhawks lefthanded bats. Bishop struck out Freddy Lopez for the second out.

Freshman James Clayton, who was 0-6 against southpaws on the year, singled to the opposite field plating Horstman and Bracamonte and giving the Redhawks a short-lived 2-1 lead.

The Redhawks only managed five hits against the Indians staff with Montiel leading the club with a 2-4 night, his team-leading 14th multi-hit game of the season.

Redhawks starter Andrew Johnson put in a solid performance pitching 5.0 innings allowing one run on six hits and striking out three.

Brandon Westmoreland received the win giving him a perfect 6-0 record.

McAlister (1-4) received the loss.

The Redhawks return to Capaha Field and Ohio Valley Conference play this weekend when they host Eastern Illinois. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday, April 23 staring at 1:00 p.m. and then return Sunday for one game, again at 1:00 p.m.