Box Score LITTLE ROCK – UALR baseball (10-13, 7-4) took the three-game series sweep over Appalachian State (7-21, 2-10) with a walk-off home run off the bat of Joseph Paulino to win by a score of 7-5 in the bottom of the 10th inning on Sunday.
Sunday's sweep of the Mountaineers was the Trojans' first three-game series sweep of a conference opponent since winning three against Western Kentucky in 2013.
UALR now has walk-off hits in all five of its Sun Belt Conference games played at Gary Hogan Field this season.
“It became a battle of the bullpens,” head coach Chris Curry said. “Whoever batted last was going to be in good shape.”
Appalachian State got out to an early lead in the second inning by scoring two runs on four hits. The Mountaineers tallied two doubles and two singles for the inning. App State added another run in the top of the fifth with an RBI-single to center, scoring a runner from second to take a 3-0 lead.
The Trojans finally a put run on the board in the bottom of the fifth. Tanner Rockwell hit a leadoff single up the middle to begin the bottom frame. With a 1-0 count, Kyle Kirk hit an RBI-double down the right field line, scoring Rockwell all the way from first to cut the deficit to 3-1.
The Mountaineers got another run in the top of the seventh to take a 4-1 lead over the Trojans. After a walk and an error on a fielder's choice, App State singled to center to make it a three-run lead.
UALR mounted its comeback in the bottom of the eight with a leadoff solo home run by Mitchell Scheuler to left center, cutting the deficit to 4-2. Kyle Barret then singled to short, ending the starter's day for Appalachian State. With a new pitcher on the mound, Petr Sila got on with a bunt single down the first base line, advancing Barret to second. Jason Prevatt reached on a fielder's choice, but Appalachian State forced Barret out at third. An RBI-double to right by Ryan Scott with one out scored Sila from second and put runners on second and third. Tanner Rockwell then hit a deep sacrifice fly to center, scoring Prevatt to tie the game at 4-4. This forced Appalachian State to make another move to the bullpen, and it was the right one as the new pitcher struck out the first Trojan batter he faced.
The Mountaineers took a 5-4 lead in the top of the ninth with a single, a stolen base and RBI-single through the left side.
In the top of the ninth, James Gillean reached on fielder's choice and then advanced to second after Scheuler walked with one out. With two outs and a runner on third, Ryan McSwain pinch hit for Sila. On 3-1, McSwain doubled down the left field line, scoring Gillean from third to tie the game once again at 5-5.
After only allowing Appalachian State to get a hit in the top of the 10th, UALR went to work. The Mountaineers started the inning by walking Scott on four straight pitches after making their third pitching change of the day. With two outs and a 1-1 count, Joseph Paulino delivered with a walk-off two-run homer to left for his first-career home run as a Trojan.
The Trojan pitching staff was effective for the majority of the day. Starter Sam Thoele pitched 5.0 innings, struck out seven, and allowed three runs on eight hits. Cameron Allen came on in relief and pitched 4.1 innings with four strikeouts and allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits. Dyllon Brownmiller made his third appearance of the series as he pitched 0.2 innings on six pitches and allowed no hits.
Rockwell and Drew Merten ended the day 2 for 4 while Rockwell had an RBI and a run. Kirk ended the game 2 for 5 with an RBI.
“Our confidence is through the roof,” Curry said. “We know we're never out of it, and we know good things can and will happen.”
UALR will welcome non-conference opponent Stephen F. Austin to Gary Hogan Field on Tuesday for its sixth midweek game of the season.
