Box Score

JONESBORO, Ark. – The University of Evansville baseball team captured its first win of 2011 Saturday afternoon, topping Arkansas State 4-1. Sophomore Kyle Lloyd threw five strong innings for the Aces to earn the win, as the Aces’ offense scored all four of its runs in the third inning.

“Lloyd had a quality start,” said Head Coach Wes Carroll. “He stepped up for us on the mound and we got the win.”

After two scoreless innings, the Aces got on the board in the top of the third on four consecutive hits. Sophomore Eric Stamets reached on an error to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a stolen base and another error. With one out, senior Cody Fick doubled, plating Stamets, and scored on senior Greg Wallace’s single through the right side. Senior Jared Baehl kept the rally going with a triple to right field. He scored when senior Ryan Oesterle capped the march with an RBI single.

Arkansas State recorded one run in the fifth after Ryan Emery singled home Jordan Castaldo who reached on a walk. Lloyd (1-1) pitched through five innings, scattering four hits, walking six, allowing just the one run, while striking out two.

The Aces’ bullpen also had a stellar day as sophomore Josh Biggs tossed a hitless sixth and seventh inning and freshman Tyler Miller a perfect eighth. The Red Wolves threatened in the bottom of the ninth with back-to-back singles to start the inning, but closer Adam Culiver got the double play ball and a groundout to earn the save.

Seven Aces recorded hits, led by Oesterle’s 2-for-3 performance with an RBI.

Jacob Lee (0-1) took the loss for the Red Wolves pitching six innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on seven hits, while striking out eight.

The Aces close out the three-game series with Arkansas State tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. CST.