White wins 5-0 to even series

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Trent Daniel tossed 5.2 scoreless innings, while freshman Isaac Hellbusch and senior Matt Vinson each homered as the White team defeated Cardinal 5-0 on Friday afternoon.

The victory for the White team evens the best-of-seven series at one game each. The series resumes on Sunday with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.

Three pitchers combined on the shutout for White with Daniel, Thomas Altimont and Brandon Moore combining to give up just six hits over the nine innings. Daniel earned the victory, striking out four and allowing six hits in 5.2 innings. Altimont worked 1.2 hitless innings and struck out four, while Moore also pitched 1.2 hitless innings, retiring each batter he faced.

Tyler Wright started for the Cardinal team and pitched well, but took the loss. Wright gave up a run on four hits and struck out six in 5.2 innings.

Hellbusch and Vinson each homered to lead the White team's offense. Hellbusch's homer was a three-run blast in the eighth inning, while Vinson hit a solo homer in the seventh inning. Brian Anderson had two hits and drove in a run, while Jacob Mahan had a hit and scored two runs.

Eric Fisher continued his solid performance at the plate in the series, recording two hits in Friday's game. Fisher now has five hits over the first two games of the series. Josh Alberius, Dominic Ficociello, Jean Ramirez and Joe Serrano each had one hit in the loss.

After a scoreless first five innings, the White team struck first with a run in the top of the sixth. Brett McAfee led off the inning with a single to center. Jacob Mahan then chopped a single into right field, but McAfee was thrown out at third trying to advance by Tyler Spoon. Mahan advanced to second on Spoon's throw to third. A single to center field by Anderson brought home Mahan with the game's first run.

The White team doubled its lead on Vinson's solo homer in the top of the seventh. Vinson took a 2-1 pitch from Brian Heldman and sent it over the bullpen in right field to stretch the lead to 2-0.

White tacked on three more runs in the top of the eighth to close the scoring. Mahan reached on a fielding error by Ficociello at first base to begin the inning. With one out, Willie Schwanke walked to put runners on first and second. Hellbusch cleared the bases with a three-run homer into the left field seats to put White in front 5-0.

Game three of the best-of-seven series will be played Sunday. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.