JONESBORO, Ark. (4/15/16) – Troy broke open a 3-0 game with a seven-run frame to open the Sun Belt Conference series by downing the Arkansas State baseball team 11-0 Friday.

The Red Wolves (13-20, 4-12) were led at the plate by Garrett Rucker who went 3-for-4 and scored the only run of the night on a Jake Bakamus single in the bottom of the ninth inning. Bakamus added two hits and an RBI to round out the hitting for A-State.

Troy opened the scoring with a trio of hits with two outs in the third after Cody Jackson managed to get through the first two frames on just 24 pitches. The Trojans used a two-out single and passed ball to put a runner in scoring position and a RBI double down the leftfield line and a single to right-centerfield plated two runs for the visitors.

Bakamus picked up the Red Wolves first hit of the night with a leadoff single in the third, but he was erased on a fielder's choice and Troy kept A-State scoreless. An inning later, Rucker hit a two-out double and a walk put two on for A-State, but Bennett used a strikeout to end the threat.

The Trojans padded their lead with a tally in the fifth, but a seven-run sixth broke the game open. A-State issued five walks in the inning and the Trojans logged three hits to post the seven runs.

The Red Wolves return to action Saturday night for the second game of the three-game series against the Trojans. First-pitch is set for 6 p.m. and can be heard on 95.3FM The Ticket. The game will also be broadcast on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN App.

For the latest on A-State baseball follow the team by logging onto the Arkansas State Baseball Facebook page or by following the team on Twitter (@ASTATEBaseball) and Instagram (arkansasstatebaseball).