Logos from sportslogos.net
Louisiana returned home to Russo Park after their week off to battle with another offensive firepower in App State for a three-game series. Both offenses were only able to muster nine total hits in the contest as the Mountaineers took Game One of the series 3-2.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
App State scored early in the contest after singles from Xavier Moronta and Luke Drumheller put a pair of Mountaineers on base. Then Hayden Cross grounded one to the first baseman, who stepped on his bag and fired to second to try and get the double play, but a dropped ball ruled the runner safe and scored Moronta to give App the early 1-0 advantage.
Louisiana got the run back in the bottom of the first on a double steal by Heath Hood and Ben Robichaux. Hood was sacrificed at second base while Robichaux came in to score from third on the throw and tie the game at 1-1.
App State loaded the bases in the third with a single, walk, and a hit-by-pitch with only one out in the inning. After a full-count walk and another hit batter, App State took a 3-1 lead in the contest.
In the fourth, Louisiana got one of the runs back on a double by John Taylor where he advanced to third on an App State error before Carson Roccaforte got an RBI single to bring him in and cut the lead to 3-2.
App State finished the game off in the bottom of the ninth, striking out the side to win 3-2.
BIG NUMBER: 18
App State pitchers struck out 18 Cajuns in the contest, including 13 from Xander Hamilton.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Xander Hamilton
Hamilton started the game for App State and was excellent, throwing six complete innings with four hits, two runs, four walks, and 13 strikeouts.
UP NEXT: Louisiana and App State will be back at Russo Park for Game 2 of the series with the first pitch coming at 4:00 p.m.