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CONWAY, Ark. – Logan Thomason’s bases clearing double highlighted a seven-run eighth inning as the Eastern Kentucky University baseball team rallied from a three-run deficit to beat the University of Central Arkansas, 7-3, on Thursday at Bear Stadium in Conway, Arkansas.
With one out in the top of the eighth and the Colonels down 3-0, Charlie Ludwick singled through the right side. DJ Sullivan followed with a triple to left to get the visitors on the board. After a strikeout, EKU would score six more runs with two outs in the inning. Jalen Jones kept it alive and platted Sullivan with a single to left. Max Williams had a pinch hit single to left center and advanced to second on the throw. Santiago Peralta walked to load the bases.
With the Colonels (28-26, 15-13 ASUN) down 3-2, Thomason drove a 2-2 pitch down the left field line to clear the bases and make it 5-3. Will King added an RBI single and Sullivan drew a bases loaded walk to bring home two more runs for a 7-3 lead.
After grabbing a 1-0 lead in the second, Central Arkansas added two more in the third. Connor Flagg drove in a run on a ground ball. AJ Mendolia’s single through the left side brought home another for a 3-0 lead. The Colonels left six on base through the first four innings.
Thomason had a 2-for-5 game with a run and three RBIs. Sullivan finished 3-for-4 with a run and two RBIs. Jones was 2-for-3 with a walk, a run and an RBI.
Rian Yates, Gavin Faulkner and Joe Clancy combined for six innings of scoreless relief for EKU. Faulkner (1-0) got the win after allowing one hit and striking out two in one and two-thirds innings.
Flagg had a 2-for-3 game with a walk, a run and an RBI for the Bears (21-31, 12-16 ASUN). UCA starter Jesse Barker pitched seven shutout innings before running into trouble in the eighth. He got two outs in the eighth but was charged with four runs. He finished the night with nine strikeouts and 10 hits allowed.
EKU turned two double plays in the game and moved past Southern Illinois as the national leader with 57.
The second game of the series will be at 4 p.m. ET on Friday.
