PENSACOLA, Fla. – The University of West Florida baseball team battled back from an early five-run deficit but fell short as Arkansas Tech came out on top 9-7 to salvage the final game of their three game set. After being down five runs early in the game, the Argos put together a six-run sixth to take the lead. The Wonder Boys responded right back in the seventh with four more runs to put the score out of reach for the Argos and snap their three game win-streak.
Arkansas Tech was the first to put a run on the board, coming on an RBI single from Chad Wynn in the top of third. Tech would scratch two more across in the fifth and one more in the sixth to give them a commanding 5-0 lead over the Argos.
The Argos would then mount a comeback in the sixth inning by taking advantage of some walks from the Wonder Boys pitching staff. In the inning the Wonder Boys allowed four walks and a hit batter which gave the Argos a 6-5 lead. Eric Kroll had the big hit in the inning which brought home two runs on a one-out single to right.
The lead did not stand for long as the Wonder Boys responded right back in the seventh with four more runs. A fielding error by the Argonauts defense led off the inning and was followed by three consecutive singles to bring home two runs. Chris Reese capped off the inning with a sacrifice fly to center to bring home the fourth and final run of the inning and a 9-6 Wonder Boy lead.
The Argos tried to stage a late ninth inning rally after Kyle Brown doubled with one out. Next batter Lawley, then single home Brown to make it a 9-7 ballgame. Wonder Boy’s pitcher Josh Floriani retired the next two batters he faced to end the threat and hand the Argos a 9-7 loss.
West Florida falls to 20-12 on the season while Arkansas Tech improves to 22-11. The Argos next challenge will come on the road this weekend as they are set to face West Georgia in their first Gulf South Conference road matchup. First pitch for Saturday’s doubleheader is slated for 12:30 p.m. ET.
For more information on Argonaut athletics or to follow along with live stats, fans can keep up with the action atwww.GoArgo.s.com.