Box Score JONESBORO, Ark. ? UALR senior Levi Laughlin threw a four-hit, complete game on Thursday night to lead the Trojans to a 3-1 win over Arkansas State in Jonesboro. A native of Sapulpa, Okla., Laughlin (6-4) allowed just four hits and a walk to the Indians, and retired 16 of the final 17 batters he faced.
UALR (14-32, 8-18 Sun Belt) trailed 1-0 after six innings, but rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh to go on top for good. Junior Jared Powell got things going for UALR with a leadoff double to right center. Junior Daniel Guffey came on to pinch run for Powell, and moved up to third on a bunt single by senior Nick DeSanctis.
With two runners on and no outs, senior Tommy Mousel tied the game at 1-all with a RBI single through the right side. Sophomore Brad Swiderski followed two batters later and delivered a two-run double down the leftfield line to put the Trojans ahead, 3-1.
Working with a lead, Laughlin cruised over the latter innings, retiring the Indians in order in the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth innings. ASU finally put a runner on base in the bottom of the ninth when Laughlin hit a batter with two outs on the board, but he came back to strike out Murray Watts and end the game.
The Indians scored their only run of the game in the top of the second after Ryan Hudgins led off with a triple to right center. Hudgins came around to score moments later when Guy Brown singled through the right side to give ASU a 1-0 lead.
ASU wouldn't have much luck against Laughlin the rest of the way, however, as the senior hurler followed up a single by Brown in the fourth by retiring the next 15 batters he faced. Laughlin finished with six strikeouts on his way to his team-leading sixth victory.
Chase Ware (5-6) was the hard luck loser for ASU, despite going the full 9.0 innings with 10 strikeouts. Ware allowed nine hits, one walk and three runs (all earned) to the Trojans.
The two teams return to action tomorrow night at 7 p.m. for the second game of the three-game Sun Belt Conference series.
