Boll Weevils Get Midweek Sweep of Central Baptist

Courtesy Unversity of Arkansas at Monticello Athletics Department

MONTICELLO — The University of Arkansas at Monticello baseball team recorded a mid-week non-conference double-header sweep of Central Baptist on Tuesday at home with an 8-0 win in the first game followed by an 11-5 victory in the second game.

In the first game, UAM was outhit 7-6, but the Boll Weevils took advantage of four CBC fielding errors and drew a combined six walks to create the large difference in scoring.

UAM (15-9) started the scoring in the first inning, getting a two runs across on a fielding error by the CBC shortstop. The Boll Weevils had two hits and two walks in the inning as well.

The Mustangs held UAM scoreless over the never two innings, before UAM exploded for five runs in the fourth innings, highlighted by a two-run triple from senior Hunter Allday, who scored on the play off a CBC throwing error. UAM finalized the scoring in the fifth, again on a CBC throwing error.

Senior Taylor Eaves led the team at the plate going 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Junior Alex Lang also went 2-for-3.

Pitchers Zach McKnight, Kade Garlington and Russell Watts combined for UAM’s second shutout of the season. McKnight (3-1) earned the win after allowing just four hits with three strikeouts and two walks in the first five innings. Garlington allowed just one hit with two strikeouts in one inning, while Watts closed the door with just one hit allowed with a strikeout in the final inning.

CBC (9-7) started the scoring in the second game with one run in the top of the first inning off a UAM throwing errors. The Boll Weevils responded with their second five-run inning of the day in the bottom half of the frame, highlighted by two-RBI singles from sophomore Bronson Gillam and junior Johnny Wolf.

UAM went up 8-1 in the third with three runs off a CBC error, a bases loaded walk from Lang and a sac fly from junior Ben Agredano.

The Mustangs struck next with one run in the fifth on an RBI fielder’s choice from Lester Clark. CBC added another run in the sixth on an RBI single from Brady Brashier to cut UAM’s lead to 8-3, before UAM added three runs in the bottom of the sixth, highlighted by a two-run single from Lang.

CBC finalized the scoring in the seventh with two runs on a sac fly and UAM wild pitch.

Wolf led UAM offensively with a 3-for-3 game with two RBI and two runs scored. Lang finished 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored. Senior Danny Loya also tallied a multi-hit outing after going 2-for-4 at the plate.

Sophomore starter Jeff Harvill (1-1) earned his first win of the season after allowing just one run, which was unearned, off three hits with four strikeouts and just one walk in the first three innings.

The Boll Weevils are back in Great American Conference action this weekend at home against Arkansas Tech for a three-game series starting with a single-game this Friday, March 15. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. at Weevils Field.