Box Score LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Stephen F. Austin pitchers allowed just two hits and fanned 12 UALR hitters en route to a 7-3 victory Tuesday evening at Gary Hogan Field.
Lumberjack starter Zach Taylor (1-0) struggled in the first inning, falling behind 2-0, but rebounded to get the win in 5.1 innings of work while striking out eight Trojan hitters. At one point, Taylor retired 11 straight Trojans before Brock Feldman drew a walk in the bottom of the 5th inning.
The Lumberjack bullpen took over and picked up right where Taylor left off in the sixth inning. Cory Ochs allowed no hits and fanned three in 2.2 innings of work and Jason West pitched a perfect 9th inning, striking out one to secure the victory.
UALR (10-3) opened the scoring in the bottom of the first as Tommie Johnson, who reached on a leadoff walk, came around to score on a double into the right field corner by Tyson Parks. After a walk to Jake Rowell loaded the bases, Taylor allowed his third free pass of the inning, this time to Casey McCollum, to give UALR an early 2-0 lead.
SFA (8-4) answered the bell in the very next inning as four Lumberjacks came around to score on five hits, to reclaim the lead, 4-2.
After relatively pedestrian third and fourth innings by both teams, SFA struck again in the fifth for two runs, making the score 6-2. Three straight doubles off the bats of Tanner Hines, Darren Crabtree and Bobby Loveless did the damage before UALR pitcher Travis Henke came on in relief to get two consecutive ground outs to end the Lumberjack attack.
UALR cut the lead to 6-3 in the sixth inning after a double and two hit batsmen loaded the bases. With one out, pinch hitter Tim Emmons reached on a fielder's choice allowing Rowell to score from third.
The Lumberjacks added one last run in the top half of the 8th, however, as Bo Coffman hit a solo shot to centerfield, his first of the season, to extend the lead to 7-3.
UALR starting pitcher Ryan Juris was saddled with the loss UALR. The lefty allowed six runs, five of which were earned, on 10 hits while striking out one. UALR's bullpen was solid in relief as Travis Henke pitched 3.2 innings, allowing just one run on two hits and striking out five. Garret Graziano came in to pitch the ninth, sitting down all three batters he faced.
UALR is back in action this weekend as they open Sun Belt Conference play with a three-game series against South Alabama at Gary Hogan Field. The first game between the Jaguars and Trojans is scheduled for Friday evening at 6 p.m.
