Joseph Paulino had three hits and helped UALR put together two big rallies as the Trojans defeated Oklahoma 11-2 on Wednesday night at L. Dale Mitchell Park in Norman, Okla.
Paulino, a freshman from Springdale, was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded during a five-run third inning and had an RBI single and scored during a four-run sixth inning.
Paulino finished 3 for 3with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI for the Trojans (10-8), who won at Oklahoma for the fourth time in the past four seasons.
Sophomore right-hander Chad Bradford held Oklahoma (16-6) to 2 runs, 1 earned, on 4 hits while walking 5 in 62/3 innings. Oklahoma took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Sheldon Neuse doubled and scored on an error. Bradford then held the Sooners without a run until the seventh inning on Hunter Haley’s sacrifice fly.
UALR’s offense made sure Oklahoma’s final run didn’t matter much.
Jason Prevatt led off the third inning by reaching on a walk and later scored on a wild pitch, Justin Steelmon and Bryson Thionnet had RBI singles, Paulino was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Sam Vogel reached on a fielder’s choice that brought in Thionnet to give UALR a 5-1 lead.
UALR added two runs in the fifth on Ben Crumpton’s two-run single, and four more in the sixth when Paulino had an RBI single, Vogel had a two-run single and Crumpton had a sacrifice fly to make it 11-1.
Vogel finished 1 for 5 with 3 RBI for the Trojans, who had 13 hits.
MISSISSIPPI 4, ARKANSAS STATE 3
Arkansas State had the go-ahead run at the plate in the top of the ninth inning, but couldn’t score as the Red Wolves fell to Mississippi at Oxford University Stadium/Swayze Field in Oxford, Miss.
Ty Michelotti pinch-hit for Dustin Jones and legged out an infield single with one out to bring up Zach Maggio. But after several throws to first base, Rebels reliever Josh Laxer picked off Michelotti for the second out of the inning. Maggio then flew out to right field to end the game.
The Red Wolves (11-9) led 3-2 going into the bottom of the seventh inning, but Ole Miss (18-4) took a 4-3 lead with Braxton Lee’s squeeze bunt.
Colton Kibler took the loss for the Red Wolves after giving up 2 runs on 4 hits in 1 1/3 innings.
Maggio and Stuart Levy each had two hits and scored a run apiece. Lucas Feddersen and Kevin Fitzpatrick each had a hit and drove in a run.
CENTRAL ARKANSAS 13, ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF 1
Wesley Hoover hit a three-run home run and Central Arkansas beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff for the second consecutive day, winning at Taylor Field in Pine Bluff.
The Bears (11-8) piled up 10 hits, including three from Hoover, to score a combined 31 runs against the Golden Lions (7-13) in two games after Tuesday’s 18-12 victory.
Justin Treece finished 3 for 3 for UCA.
UCA pitchers Brandon Schmidt and Jon Rand combined to hold UAPB to 1 hit through 5 innings and just 4 hits for the game. Connor McClain pitched the eighth inning and Scott Zimmerle the ninth inning, allowing one hit.
The Bears led 6-1 after two innings, 9-1 after four innings and 13-1 after five.
Rashawn Tillman drove in UAPB’s only run with a sacrifice fly in the second inning. Jerimiah Figueroa had two of the Golden Lions’ four hits.
Sports, Pages 26 on 03/20/2014