LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Interstat) — Evan Griffis drove in five runs, including three on a fifth-inning homer, and the Arkansas State Red Wolves erupted for seven runs in the ninth inning to pull away from the Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans 12-5 in a nonconference baseball game Tuesday night.

The game’s most important sequence came in the top of the fifth, which began with Arkansas State leading 1-0. After Ashton Quiller doubled home a run and an intentional walk loaded the bases with two outs, Griffis stepped in against reliever Josh Beezley. The Red Wolves’ right fielder launched a 1-0 pitch deep over the left field wall for a grand slam, turning a tight 2-0 contest into a commanding 6-0 advantage.

That blast proved critical, as the Trojans answered immediately in the bottom of the second. Facing Arkansas State starter Kole Turner, UALR strung together three straight hits, capped by a two-run double from Nico Baumbach and an RBI double from McClure to cut the deficit to 6-3 and chase Turner from the game.

The Red Wolves’ bullpen, however, slammed the door. Ryan Ashford relieved Turner and ended the second-inning threat, then proceeded to fire three perfect innings of relief with zero hits and zero earned runs to earn the win. Cooper Garrison followed with three strong innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out three, to bridge the gap to the late innings.

UALR starter Nic Bronzini took the loss despite a solid outing, allowing one earned run on four hits over 3 1/3 innings, striking out four. Trojans relievers Brody Bunting and Josh Beezley combined for 3 2/3 innings of one-run ball to keep the game within reach at 6-5 entering the ninth.

The contest was decided in the final frame. Arkansas State sent 12 men to the plate against three UALR relievers, capitalizing on a key error. With two on and one out, a throwing error by pitcher Schimmels allowed one run to score. Quiller was intentionally walked to re-load the bases, and Walton delivered a two-run single to center. Engskov followed with an RBI double before Griffis capped his afternoon with a two-run double to deep right field, completing the seven-run outburst and sealing the victory.

Griffis finished 2 for 4 with the homer, double, and five RBIs. Quiller added a solo homer in the first, a double, two RBIs, and three runs scored. Baumbach drove in two for the Trojans.

Arkansas State improved to 13-5 with the win, while Arkansas-Little Rock fell to .500 at 8-8. The result defied the pregame projection from Interstat, which had simulated a 7-5 Red Wolves victory and gave Arkansas State a 51.7% probability to win.

The Red Wolves next host Southern Mississippi for a three-game series starting Friday. The Trojans travel to face Samford for a three-game set beginning the same day.