JONESBORO, Ark. – Despite recording 13 hits and outhitting Arkansas State on the afternoon, the Seawolves dropped a 12-5 decision in the series finale against the Red Wolves in Jonesboro.
Offensively, sophomore
Mike Villani led the way, going 1-for-1 with a home run and two RBIs. Junior
Aidyn Coffey also turned in a strong performance, finishing 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI. Junior
Chris Carson added a triple as part of his 1-for-3 effort, while
Scott Gell contributed an RBI single in the loss.
Junior
Nicholas Rizzo (0-1) made the start for Stony Brook (0-3) and was charged with the loss. Sophomore
Evan Kay provided a bright spot out of the bullpen, tossing two shutout innings while allowing just two hits, walking one, and striking out one.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Arkansas State wasted no time taking control, scoring six runs in the opening frame before adding another in the second to build a 7-0 lead through two innings of play.
- Stony Brook responded in the top of the third. With two outs, James Schaffer doubled to spark the rally. Nick Zampieron followed with a single, and Matthew Jackson added another base hit to bring Schaffer home and cut the deficit to 7-1.
- Freshman Reilly Bridges delivered a scoreless bottom of the third to settle things down. In the top of the fourth, Coffey launched his first home run as a Seawolf to trim the deficit to 7-2. Arkansas State answered with two runs in the bottom half to extend the lead to 9-2.
- Carson opened the fifth with a triple, but the Seawolves were unable to capitalize. Kay retired the first two hitters he faced before Luke Szepek threw a runner out at second base to end the inning.
- Stony Brook chipped away again in the sixth. Johnny Pilla doubled to lead off the frame, Coffey followed with a single, and Gell delivered a pinch-hit RBI knock to make it 9-3. Luca Mannino took over on the mound in the bottom of the inning and struck out two batters in a 1-2-3 frame.
- The Red Wolves added three runs in the seventh to push their lead to 12-3.
- The Seawolves continued to battle in the eighth. Mike Cervoni came off the bench and ripped a double, and Villani followed with a two-run homer to the opposite field to cut the deficit to 12-5. Arkansas State, however, held Stony Brook in check the rest of the way to secure the victory.
STATS AND NOTES
- Villani and Coffey each hit their first collegiate home run.
- Eleven different Seawolves recorded a hit.
- Stony Brook outhit Arkansas State, 13-12.
- Kay threw two shutout innings out of the bullpen.
- The Seawolves went 5-for-11 (.455) with runners in scoring position.
UP NEXT
Stony Brook heads to Atlanta next week for a three-game series against Georgia Tech. First pitch on Friday is set for 4:00 p.m. and will be streamed live on ACC Network+.
