MILLINGTON, Tenn. (2/23/08) - Home runs by freshman Drew Benes and junior Derrick Coleman, along with on-target pitching by senior Joel Boeschen and junior Chris Bullington led Arkansas State to a 6-3 win over Seton Hall Saturday at the 2008 Service Academies Spring Classic.
“I'm really proud of the team, especially Joel Boeschen for bouncing back after a rough first inning,” Arkansas State Head Coach Keith Kessinger said. “We played tough defense without a single error and had some good hits tonight.”
The Indians have had just one error in two games this season.
The Pirates took advantage early, scoring two in the first inning. A.J. Rusbarsky and Mark Pappas both doubled to left and scored on Chris Affinito's single to right.
Boeschen recovered and retired the next seven batters before allowing a single in the fourth to Greg Miller.
The Tribe struck in the top of the fourth when freshman Todd Baumgartner reached first on an error by Pirates third baseman Chris Fontinelli and junior Brandon Eller doubled to left. Both Indians came around to score on senior Ryan Hudgins' single to right to tie the game at two.
Seton Hall answered in the fourth when Miller singled and scored on Matt Skopak's single.
Arkansas State tacked on two more in the fifth when Benes notched his first collegiate home run to lead off the inning. Two batters later, Coleman stepped up to record his first Division I home run and put the Indians up 4-3.
Eller and Hudgins put up two more for the Indians when they scored in the sixth on Guy Brown's sacrifice fly to centerfield.
Boeschen took home the win for the Tribe, giving up three runs on five hits with six strikeouts in six innings of work. Bullington notched the save, allowing no runs on one hit with three strikeouts.
Jesse Gwaltney took the loss on the mound for Seton Hall, giving up four runs on four hits in 4.2 innings.
Hudgins went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and one run scored for the Tribe. Eller, Coleman and Benes each added one hit and one RBI and Todd Baumgartner recorded one hit.
Skopak led the Pirates' offense, going 2-for-3 at the plate with one RBI.
The Indians will close out the 2008 Service Academies Spring Classic Sunday against Navy. First pitch is set for 1 P.M. at U.S.A. Stadium.
