The Arkansas-Monticello baseball team took down #5 ranked Southern Arkansas in a mid-week slugfest. The Weevils may not have been the first team to score, but took down the Muleriders with what may be their most impressive offensive showing of the year. UAM outscored the SAU 19-14 to win the match.
After SAU scored a run in both the first and second innings, the Weevils put on a hitting clinic over the next three innings. The Monticello ball players put up 6 runs in the third, 4 runs in the fourth, and 3 runs in the fifth.
Jordan Johnson stepped to the plate in the top of the third and crushed a grand slam to score Cade Thompson, Chase Cripps, and DeShaun Cordova for the first four UAM runs of the game. Nick Fakouri hit into a double play, but resulted with Reece Reading scoring and Grant Shepherd scored on a Dave Reyna single.
Grant Shepherd drove a single through the six-hole to score Cade Thompson for the first run of the fourth inning. Hudson Hopkins followed up with a three run home run to score Shepherd and Reading.
Reece Reading started off the fifth with a roped single up the middle to score Chase Cripps and David Reyna. Shepherd shot a double into right field to score Jordan Johnson.
The Muleriders showed why they are a nationally ranked team. Putting up six runs of their own between the fifth and sixth to make it an 13-8 ball game.
UAM wasn’t finished though, putting up four more runs in the top of the sixth to increase their lead over the Muleriders. Hudson Hopkins singled through the six-hole, but three runs scored on a fielding error. Nick Fakouri sent a double into left field to score Hopkins.
Monticello scored their final two runs of the ball game in the top of the ninth on a pair of doubles from DeShaun Cordova and Cade Thompson. Both Fakouri and Cordova scored to give the Weevils a 19-8 lead.
The Mueriders scored six runs in the bottom of the ninth, but it was not enough to reclaim the Boll Weevil lead.
Arkansas-Monticello would win the mid-week game, defeating the #5 ranked Southern Arkansas University.
Pitching Performances
The UAM pitching staff had its work cut out for them, totaling six different pitchers in the game.
Charles Peacock started on the mound, totaling 3.0 inning pitched with two runs allowed on two hits. He stuck out six batters and had four walks.
Jack Barna entered the game in the bottom of the fourth, tallying 2.1 innings pitched with five runs allowed on five hits. He also struck out four batters and had two walks.
Cameron Johnson took his turn on the mound in the sixth, throwing 2.2 inning with one run allowed on only three hits, striking out two.
Jacob McDaniel started on the mound in the ninth, but allowed 4 runs on 1 hit.
Jerrius Vickers took his chance on the mound for a single out, allowing two runs on one hit and two walks.
Rigell Robinson closes out the last 0.2 of the game for the Weevils, striking out two with no runs allowed and no hits.
Offensive Showcase
Chase Cripps – Went 4-for-7 with two doubles and two runs scored.
Cade Thompson – Went 3-for-6 with a double, two runs, and an RBI.
Grant Shepherd – Went 3-for-4 with a double, three runs, two RBIs, and two walks.
Hudson Hopkins – Went 2-for-4 with a home run, four RBIs, two runs, and two walks.
Jordan Johnson – Hit a grand slam, four RBIs, three runs, and a walk.
The victory pushes Arkansas-Monticello to 7-12 on the season and gives the Weevils a chip on their shoulder as they prepare for their upcoming GAC series with Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
Up Next
Arkansas-Monticello is back at Weevils Field on Friday, Mar. 18 as they travel to Durant, Oklahoma for Game 1 of their GAC series with Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The match is set ti begin at 2:00 p.m.
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