WIU avoids sweep at No. 1 Arkansas
By: Lance Snow
Updated: February 17, 2013
Courtesy University of Arkansas:
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Jameson Henning and Brent Turner each had two hits, while Steve Kedroski drove in two runs as Western Illinois defeated No. 1 Arkansas, 7-5, on Sunday afternoon at Baum Stadium.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Jameson Henning and Brent Turner each had two hits, while Steve Kedroski drove in two runs as Western Illinois defeated No. 1 Arkansas, 7-5, on Sunday afternoon at Baum Stadium.
Arkansas,
which won two of three games in the series, falls to 2-1 with the loss, while
Western Illinois improves its record to 1-2.
Mason
Pingel (1-0) got the win on the mound for the Leathernecks, throwing five
innings and giving up three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts. Brian
Loconsole picked up his first save of the season, tossing 1.2 hitless
innings.
Trent
Daniel (0-1) suffered the loss, giving up six runs, only three of which were
earned, on eight hits and striking out two in 3.1 innings. Brandon Moore came
out of the bullpen and pitched well, allowing just one run on one hit with five
strikeouts in 5.2 innings.
Joe
Serrano and Tyler Spoon each had three hits to lead the Razorbacks at the plate.
Spoon drove in two runs and scored twice. Brian Anderson recorded two hits and
drove in three runs, while Matt Vinson was 2-for-4 with three runs
scored.
Henning
and Turner each had two hits and a RBI for the Leathernecks. Kedroski went
1-for-3 with two RBI.
Western
Illinois struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the first. Turner led
off the game with a single to left and a walk to Dan Dispensa put runners on
first and second. Henning then laid down a sacrifice bunt to put runners on
second and third. Kedroski plated both runners with a two-RBI single to center
field to give the Leathernecks an early lead.
Arkansas
quickly answered back, scoring twice in the bottom of the first. Vinson reached
on an infield single to start the inning and then moved to second on a wild
pitch. After a strikeout of Jacob Morris, Spoon lined a single to center,
scoring Vinson. A balk advanced Spoon to second and with two outs, Anderson
doubled off the wall in left field to score Spoon with the tying
run.
The
Leathernecks regained the lead with a run in the top of the second. Zach Burling
singled to center to begin the inning and then moved to second on a sacrifice
bunt by Turner. With two out, Henning reached on an infield single to third. A
passed ball allowed Burling to score WIU's third run of the
game.
Arkansas
tied the game for the second time in the bottom of the third. Vinson drew a
leadoff walk and advanced to second after a sacrifice bunt by Morris. Spoon
recorded his second RBI single of the day with a base hit to left to score
Vinson and even the game at three.
Western
Illinois took advantage of three Razorback errors to score three runs in the top
of the fourth. Erik Maki had a bunt single to start the inning and a sacrifice
bunt by Burling advanced Maki to second. Turner then singled to left, scoring
Maki. Vinson's throw to the plate hit off Maki and got away, allowing Turner to
advance to second on the throwing error. Dispensa then went to the opposite
field and singled to left to put runners on the corners. Henning reached on a
fielding error by Anderson at short, which allowed Turner to score and moved
Dispensa to second base. The Leathernecks then executed a double steal and
catcher Jean Ramirez's throw to third was high, allowing Dispensa to score on
the throwing error and giving the Leathernecks a 6-3
lead.
WIU added
an insurance run in the top of the seventh. Henning singled to center field to
lead off the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kedroski. A
ground out by Jake Moore to second moved Henning to third. Travis Stafford drew
a walk to put runners on the corners. Stafford tried to steal second, but was
caught in a rundown between first and second. However, during the run down,
Henning scored from third to make the score
7-3.
Arkansas
trimmed into the lead with two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Vinson singled
to right field to start the inning and advanced to second on a wild pitch. With
one out, Spoon walked to put runners on the first and second. McAfee moved both
runners to scoring position on a ground out to short. Anderson drove home both
runners with a double to center field to cut the lead to
7-5.
The
Razorbacks were able to put a runner on base in both the eighth and ninth
innings, but couldn't get any closer as the Leathernecks held on for a 7-5
win.
Arkansas
and New Orleans open a two-game series on Tuesday with first pitch at 3:05 p.m.
Single-game and season tickets are available for the 2013 Razorback baseball
season. Single-game tickets are $10 for reserved and $8 for general admission,
while season tickets are $190 for adults and $140 for University of Arkansas
staff, youth and senior citizens. Tickets may be purchased by calling
1-800-982-HOGS (4647) or by visiting the online ticket center at
ArkansasRazorbacks.com.
