JONESBORO, Ark. (4/17/16) – The Arkansas State baseball team lost to Troy 8-1 in the final game of a three-game Sun Belt Conference Sunday afternoon at Tomlinson Stadium.

Troy broke the game open with a pair of three-run innings in the sixth and seventh innings to take an 8-0 advantage. In the sixth inning, Adam Grantham loaded the base with no one out. He gave way to Zachary Patterson who allowed all three runners he inherited on fielder's choice, single and a walk to push the Trojan lead to 5-0.

Troy added to its lead in the seventh with an RBI single, bases loaded walk and a sacrifice fly to make the game an eight run deficit for the Red Wolves.

Grantham was sharp through five innings, but ran into trouble in the sixth inning when he gave up a leadoff double and then issued back-to-back walks to load the bases.

Arkansas State (14-21, 5-13 SBC) scored its only run in the seventh inning when Jake Bakamus drew a bases loaded walk that scored Austin Baker. Bakamus was 1-for-3 on the day with an RBI, while Baker went 1-for-4 with a run scored. Joe Schrimpf, Jeremy Brown and Matt Burgess each had a hit for A-State.

A-State had a scoring chance in the fifth inning when Jeremy Brown singled through the left side and Matt Burgess followed with a base hit down the right field line to put runner on the corners with two out, but Jake Bakamus struck out to end the threat.

The Red Wolves another scoring opportunity in the sixth inning when Joe Schrimpf walked and Tanner Ring followed with a single, but Garrett Rucker struck out with both runners on base to end the inning and the scoring chance.

The Trojans (22-15, 8-7) jumped out in front of the Red Wolves with a pair of runs in the second inning when Bert Givens tripled to plate Chase Smartt and Matt Sanders.

Troy's pitching staff was dominant from the start of the game as starting pitcher Lucas Brown retired the first 10 he faced in order. He did not allow a hit until the fourth inning and issued just one run on five hits in six innings of work.

A-State returns the field Tuesday night for a midweek road matchup at Southern Illinois, followed by a home contest against Mississippi Valley State on Wednesday. Both games will be broadcast on 95.3FM The Ticket and online at AStateRedWolves.com

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).