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JONESBORO, Ark. – Arkansas State scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to edge the University of Evansville baseball team, 5-4, in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader.

Much like Friday night’s game, Evansville took the early lead, scoring one run in the first inning when junior Andy Lasher singled up the middle and scored on Kevin Kaczmarski’s RBI single to left field. The Aces made it a 2-0 game in the top of the third after junior Chris Pearson and Kaczmarksi led off with back-to-back singles to right field. The Red Wolves turned a double play, but sophomore Jake Mahon saved the rally with a single up the middle, plating Pearson.

A-State answered in the bottom of the frame, scoring one run off UE starter Sam Johns. Dustin Jones led off with a single to left field. He advanced to third on Michael Faulkner’s bunt single and scored on  Zach George’s single to right, making the score 2-1.

The Aces made it a two-run game again in the top of the fourth when sophomore David Patton led off with a double to left field and advanced to third on Michael Eckstein’s sacrifice bunt. Eric Stamets recorded the RBI with his single to right, putting UE up 3-1.

However, the Red Wolves tied it up in the bottom half of the inning on two unearned runs. Johns mowed down the leadoff hitter, but an error at second base and walk put runners on first and second with one out. Kaleb Brown took advantage of the miscues with a double to left-center, bringing in one run, and Faulkner’s groundout to first base brought in the second.

Evansville regained the lead, 4-3, in the top of the sixth after Jason Hockemeyer led off with a double to left-center and advanced to third on Patton’s sacrifice bunt. Eckstein plated the go-ahead run with a sac fly to center.

Making his first appearance on the mound after taking a line drive to the side of the head in his first outing of the 2011 season, senior reliever Zach Taylor tossed two hitless innings in the fifth and sixth frames. However, the Red Wolves turned the tables in the seventh, loading the bases after the first two batters walked and George reached on a bunt single. Taylor recorded two groundball outs, but Ryan Emery kept ASU’s rally alive, knocking in the tying and winning runs with a single to left field to give A-State the 5-4 advantage.

Pitching for both teams sat their opponents down in order in the eighth and top of the ninth, making 5-4 the final score.

Taylor (0-1) took the loss, throwing four innings, allowing two runs, two hits, three walks, while striking out two. Johns got the no-decision for his second consecutive outing, hurling 4.0 innings, giving up three runs, one earned, six hits, two walks, and struck out three.

Cory Kyle (1-1) earned the win for ASU out of the bullpen, tossing three innings and John Koch claimed the save.

Kaczmarksi (3-for-4), Patton (2-for-3), and Lasher (2-for-4) each recorded multiple hits for UE.

The Aces continue play this afternoon for game two of the twin bill. A recap of that game will be available later this evening.