JONESBORO, Ark. (2/23/24) – Arkansas State baseball (6-0, 0-0 SBC) faced stiff competition from Lindenwood (1-4, 0-0 OVC), but the Red Wolves got just enough from their hitters to survive in a 4-3 thriller on Friday night at Tomlinson Stadium.
Jelle van der Lelie (1-0) made his second start of the season, allowing five hits and two earned runs while recording five strikeouts over six innings pitched. The right-hander recorded the first quality start of the season and earned his first career Division I win.
After a quiet first inning, Bryson Arnette led-off the second with a solo-home run over the left field wall and put Lindenwood ahead 1-0.
Daedrick Cail sent a home run of his own 354 feet to the same area, bringing in two runs and giving A-State the 2-1 advantage in the fourth. One inning later,
Wil French added to the lead with an RBI-triple and scored on a sacrifice fly from
Blake Burris in the next at-bat.
The Lions broke their silence in the sixth when Kam Edwards advanced home following a stolen base for Arnette. Two innings later, the Red Wolves surrendered another run following a throwing error, making the score 4-3 going into the final inning.
Despite a run scoring on the error,
Allen Grier was able to make a play in right field by throwing James Jett out at third.
After allowing a leadoff single,
Max Charlton forced two outs while
Hunter Ryan caught Ambrose Russo stealing at second base as A-State claimed their sixth-straight win.
Van der Lelie earned the win and Charlton recorded the save while Zach Buschschulte (0-1) took the loss. The Red Wolves have now won nine consecutive games dating back to last season, which is the longest such streak since starting 9-0 in 1997.
NEXT UP
Arkansas State will resume their three-game series against Lindenwood on Saturday, February 24 at Tomlinson Stadium. First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m. and can be heard on 95.3/96.9 The Ticket Radio Network along with the A-State Red Wolves mobile app.
Tickets to the men's and women's basketball doubleheader tomorrow will also grant entry to Saturday's contest.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For the latest on the A-State baseball program, follow @AStateBaseball on Twitter/X and @astatebaseball on Instagram, while also liking Arkansas State Baseball on Facebook.
