JONESBORO, Ark. (4/10/26) – Arkansas State (20-13, 6-7 SBC) held No. 11 Coastal Carolina (25-8, 12-1 SBC) to just three runs through the first eight innings before an offensive explosion in the ninth inning from the road team, dropping the series opener 7-10 at Tomlinson Stadium-Slayton Family Field.

Starter Andrew Allen held the Chanticleers hitless in his 4.2 innings, walking a pair in the first inning then letting another two walks up in the third and fourth innings, finding a pair of strikeouts along the way.

A-State took the lead early with back-to-back doubles to lead off the bottom of the inning for one run, and another double from Patrick Engskov scored the second run. The Red Wolves doubled their lead in the fourth inning with a two-run shot from Kaden Amundson, his third home run of the season.

Coastal put runners at the corners with two outs in the fifth, and set up a double steal, scoring one run before the final out.

Coastal struck a leadoff homer in the seventh, and a double immediately after put the tying run at the plate. A groundout advanced the runner to third, and CCU put down a sac bunt to bring the score within one run.

Quiet in the bottom of the seventh, A-State responded emphatically in the eight following a three-strikeout top of the inning from Cooper Garrison. Derek Martinez crushed his 10th home run of the season on the first pitch he saw, and Patrick Engskov rifled a double just fair down the left field line. Lane Walton stepped up to the plate following a Coastal mound visit, and scored two with a home run swing that sent the ball 434 feet for the 7-3 A-State lead.

Undeterred, Coastal led off the top of the ninth inning with a pair of singles, a double, and two triples to tie the game at seven before recording an out. Coastal took the lead on a fielder's choice at the plate, then loaded the bases from an intentional walk. A single just out of the infield scored two more before A-State found the final two required outs, and was unable to find any runners in the bottom of the frame.

Win: Connor Kane (2-1)

Loss: Brett Foss (2-1)

Save: Ryan Lynch (3)

A-State will return Saturday to host the No. 11 Chanticleers for the second game of the series, with first pitch set for 6 p.m.

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