Arkansas State Takes Game One From Cajuns, 10-4

Arkansas State took advantage of free baserunners to score six runs in the final three innings and defeat the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns 10-4 in the first game of their three game Sun Belt Conference series at M. L. "Tigue" Moore Field.

The Red Wolves (11-12, 3-6 Sun Belt) led 4-3 going into the seventh inning and extended their lead when Matt Burgess homered with two out and created more two out magic in the eighth, scoring twice with two out and added three more in the ninth to win going away.

Tyler Zuber (3-2) allowed five hits and three runs over six innings to get the win.  Colton Kibler allowed one run in the final three innings to pick up his third save.

Gunner Leger (3-1) gave up four runs on five hits in five innings to suffer his first career loss.  Three Cajuns' relievers walked six batters and hit one over the final four innings.

Ty White had three of the eleven Arkansas State hits, while Joe Schrimpf, Jeremy Brown and Zach George each knocked in two runs.

The Cajuns (13-10, 5-4) got on the board in the third inning on a single by Dylan Butler, a walk to Blake Trahan, a sacrifice by Tyler Girouard and a sacrifice fly by Greg Davis.  But Arkansas State responded in the fourth when Leger hit Collin Massanelli with a pitch with two out, Tanner Ring blooped a single to right and Schrimpf followed with a shot just inside the third base bag to score both runners.

Brian Mills' first homer as a Cajun tied the game in the bottom of the fourth, but the Red Wolves took the lead for good in the fifth on a bloop double by Brown, a walk, a single by George and an error..  The Cajuns cut the lead to one run on a double play grounder in the fifth, but never could re-take the lead.

The two teams will play game two of the series Saturday at 2:05pm.