BEAUMONT, Texas ? Michael Williams went 3-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored to lead Arkansas State to a 7-3 victory over Kentucky on Friday afternoon at Vincent-Beck Stadium.
The loss snapped the Wildcats three-game win streak this season and a nine-game win streak over non-conference opponents. The Indians improved to 5-1 on the young season.
Williams drove in the tying run on a double that made it 2-2 in the seventh. He later scored in the inning to make it 4-2 and then blasted a three-run homer to put the game away in the ninth. He was one of five Arkansas State players with multiple hits in the game.
Southpaw Joel Boeschen held Kentucky?s explosive offense at bay in an early pitcher?s duel. The junior gave up three runs on six hits in seven innings while striking out 10 and walking five.
The Wildcats touched up Boeschen for single runs in the first, fifth and seventh. Brian Hastings doubled Antone DeJesus home for a 1-0 lead early.
His next time up in the third, DeJesus singled to extend his hitting streak to 11 games dating to last season. Two innings later, he brought home Ryan Wilkes with a two-out bunt single. Justin Scutchfield tried to score from second on the play, but was gunned down at the plate.
The play was one of many base-running errors for UK, which had two runners caught stealing on afternoon.
Collin Cowgill continued his tear by launching a towering solo home run to lead off the eighth. The shot chased Boeschner, but Tim Egart entered to pitch two hitless innings and earn the save.
Aaron Tennyson took a tough-luck loss after tossing 6 1/3 innings. He gave just one runs in the first six frames, but gave up one in the seventh was charged for two more after being relieved. Williams was the last batter Tennyson faced when he doubled.
Dewayne Oxford entered and allowed a sacrifice fly to foul territory in right field. Hudson Smart then got an RBI grounder just under the outstretched glove of a diving Ryan Wilkes to bring Williams around.
Adam Revelette pitched to the first batter of the ninth, giving up an infield hit. He was relieved by Zach Dials, who allowed a single before the homer by Williams.
Kentucky looks to rebound with a doubleheader on Saturday. The Wildcats face tournament host Lamar at 2 p.m. ET before squaring off with Arkansas State in the night cap at 8 p.m. ET.
