Arkansas State holds off South Alabama to get victory, 6-3
JONESBORO, Ark. (4/11/25) – Arkansas State baseball (15-18, 6-7 SBC) took a six-run lead after three innings of action, but needed to fight off a rally attempt from South Alabama (14-18, 4-9 SBC) to claim a 6-3 victory on Friday night at Tomlinson Stadium.
Gavin Galy (1-1) made his second start of the season, surrendering one earned run on four hits while striking out one over 5.0 innings pitched. Patrick Engskov led the bats with a 2-for-4 performance highlighted by a grand slam, while Drake Anderson added to the total with a home run of his own.
Engskov took advantage of a bases-loaded situation with one out in the first, firing a 371-foot grand slam beyond the wall in left field. It was the infielder’s second career home run and first grand slam.
Wil French recorded the Scarlet and Black’s last grand slam on March 15, 2024, in an 11-8 victory over Louisiana.
Anderson followed the four-run round-tripper with a solo-shot of his own, marking the first time A-State tallied back-to-back homers since May 14, 2023, against App State. It is the Red Wolves’ sixth inning scoring five runs or more, resulting in a 5-0 lead.
The Scarlet and Black loaded the bases again in the bottom of the third, allowing Cross Jumper to score on a sacrifice fly from Cason Campbell. The Jaguars scored their first run of the contest on an RBI-double in the fifth, but the score remained at 6-1 in favor of A-State.
The gap closed to three runs following a two-run homer in the seventh for South Alabama. The Red Wolves recorded their first hit in four frames during the eighth, but could not score as the contest moved into the ninth.
Chase Richter closed the door on a last-inning rally, securing a series-opening victory for A-State. Galy earned the win and Richter claimed his fourth save while Jaxon Shineflew took the loss.
NEXT UP
A-State resumes a three-game series against South Alabama on Saturday, April 12, at 6:00 p.m. on Slayton Family Field at Tomlinson Stadium. Listeners can find the series opener on 95.3 The Ticket, with coverage beginning 15 minutes prior to first pitch.
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