JONESBORO (2/17/12) - Trailing Lamar 2-1 in the top of the ninth inning, Arkansas State put runners on first and second base with only one out when a rain delay began that eventually resulted in the game being called due to unplayable conditions.
Alex Potts led off the ninth with a walk, Zach Maggio laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Potts to second and then Brandon Milhouse drew a walk just prior to the start of the rain delay. The Red Wolves were never able to get back on the field and were pinned with a season-opening setback at Vincent-Beck Stadium to begin play in the Lamar Classic.
A-State got six shut-out innings from starting pitcher Jacob Lee, who gave up just five hits while striking out five batters. However, Lamar's Eric Harrington was equally impressive as he gave up just three hits over five innings of work in a game that shaped up to be a pitcher's duel. The Cardinals struck first in the seventh inning, plating the game's first run on an RBI single by Aaron Olivas.
A-State was able to get out of the inning without further damage and knotted the score at 1-1 in the top of the eighth on an RBI by Ryan Roberts. Roberts grounded out to second, but still brought home Logan Uxa on the play. Uxa had singled to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a double down the left field line by Ryan Emery, who was stranded on third to end the inning.
Lamar came right back during its next at-bat, scoring the game-winning run on a single by Brad Picha that drove home Jeff Abt from second base. Abt walked to start the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. ASU's Brandon Farley, who absorbed the loss, was able to get out of the eighth inning with a strikeout and groundout.
A-State left 10 runners stranded, including two in the second, fourth and ninth innings. Although the Red Wolves posted two extra-base hits while holding Lamar to seven singles, A-State posted one less overall hit at six. Including Roberts' RBI, A-State got hits from Kaleb Brown, Uxa, Zach George, Emery, Drew Burks and Dustin Jones.
Cory Kyle and Farley both pitched one inning in relief of Lee and both gave up one run on one hit. Lamar's Ben Coram picked up the victory.
ASU will play its second game in the Lamar Classic at 4 p.m. tomorrow when it faces Stephen F. Austin, which suffered a loss to Portland in its season opener on Friday as well.
