JONESBORO, Ark. (2/16/25) – Arkansas State baseball (1-1, 0-0 SBC) fell behind late against Morehead State (1-1, 0-0 OVC), but a timely home run from Patrick Engskov pushed A-State into the win column with a 4-1 victory on Sunday afternoon at Tomlinson Stadium-Slayton Family Field.
 
Jack Nelson made his 2025 debut and his 11th career start on the mound, surrendering only one hit and three walks while striking out 10 over 4.2 shutout innings. It was the first time an A-State pitcher notched 10 strikeouts since Brandon Anderson fanned 13 against Mississippi Valley State on February 25, 2020.
 
The Red Wolves pitching staff combined for 16 strikeouts in the contest, the most since recording 19 against Delta Devils in the same matchup.
 
On the flip side, Daedrick Cail finished 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and a walk while Engskov led the team with three RBIs after launching a three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh.
 
The Red Wolves loaded the bases twice in the contest, but the Eagles escaped both jams during the second and fourth innings to keep the game scoreless. Both teams combined for five hits and no runs in the first six innings of action, with A-State being outhit 3-2.
 
Morehead State cashed in on a throwing error at third base in the top of the seventh, breaking the scoreless stalemate with an RBI-single. However, the Red Wolves found life in the next frame after Wil French put two runners in scoring position with a double to left field.
 
Engskov capitalized on the scoring opportunity by sending his first career round-tripper to the bullpen behind left field, pushing the Scarlet and Black ahead 3-1.
 
In the bottom of the eighth, Ashton Quiller reached on a walk and stole second before swiping third moments later. While stealing third base, a fielding error allowed the centerfielder to reach home plate uncontested and extend the lead to three runs.
 
After Kole Turner (1-0) surrendered a leadoff walk in the next frame, Gavin Galy entered the game and struck out two batters before being replaced by Carson Keithley. The last batter also went down on strikes, securing head coach Mike Silva‘s first career victory in scarlet and black.
 
Turner earned the win and Trevor Callahan (0-1) took the loss while Keithley earned his second career save.
 
NEXT UP
A-State concludes a three-game series with Morehead State on Monday, Feb. 17, at 1:00 p.m. on Slayton Family Field at Tomlinson Stadium. Listeners can find the game on 95.3 The Ticket Radio Network, with coverage beginning 30 minutes prior to first pitch.

SOCIAL MEDIA
For the latest on the A-State baseball program, follow @AStateBaseball on Twitter/X and @astatebaseball on Instagram, while also liking Arkansas State Baseball on Facebook.