JONESBORO, Ark. (4/14/09) ? The Missouri State Bears (19-14) took advantage of two Arkansas State errors, including one in the ninth,  to score a pair of unearned runs that proved to be the difference in a 4-3 victory over the Red Wolves (15-19) Tuesday night at Tomlinson Stadium and Kell Field.

 Arkansas State starter Derek Riley pitched five hitless innings to begin the game, but Missouri State used three hits in the sixth to plate two runs and tie the score at 3-3.   The Red Wolves carried a 3-1 advantage into the sixth inning after sophomore designated hitter Murray Watts drove in all three runs with a pair of early home runs.

“We couldn't dominate the routine play and obviously it came back to haunt us,” said ASU Head Coach Tommy Raffo.  “And we didn't score in the fourth through ninth innings to extend the lead when we were up 3-1.  If we could have dominated the routine play and extended the lead, then it would have been a game in our favor.”

“That was a good program we played tonight and when you play good teams, mistakes are magnified,” added Raffo.  “I thought Missouri State played very well defensively so credit them, they made the plays.”

Missouri State took advantage of the first ASU error in the first to put an unearned run on the board, but a two-run home run from Watts in the bottom of the inning erased the Bear lead and put the Red Wolves on top 2-1. 

Watts unleashed another homer in his next at-bat to extend the ASU lead to 3-1 in the third, but the Bears scored two runs in the sixth when catcher Dallas Hord delivered a two-out, bases loaded single into right field to even the score.

Missouri State took the lead in the ninth when left fielder Chris Playter reached on an error, moved to third on a double from right fielder Christian Overstreet and scored on a passed ball for what proved to be the winning run.

Arkansas State got the tying run to third in the bottom of the ninth when second baseman Giovanni Garcia was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from shortstop Jordan Kimball and went to third on a groundout from left fielder Cody Pace.  The Red Wolves could not get Garcia home when a popup from third baseman Guy Brown ended the game.

Senior Chris Bullington (1-1) took the loss on the mound for ASU, giving up one unearned run on one hit, with one strikeout and no walks.  Sean Toler (1-0) worked three innings for the Bears to pick up the win.  Toler did not give up a run or a hit while striking out one and walking none.

Watts went 2-for-3 to lead ASU at the plate, while designated hitter Ryan Modglin went 1-for-2 to lead MSU. 

The Red Wolves and Bears will wrap up the two-game series Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.