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For the second time in three seasons the University of Arkansas at Monticello Boll Weevils have captured the Great American Conference Regular Season Conference Championship.
The Weevils wrapped up GAC play this past week after a three game series with Southern Arkansas University at Union Bank Park.
Opening the series on Friday afternoon, the Weevils would send out Bryce Louis to start the contest on the mound.
Southern Arkansas’ Preston Smith led off with a double to left field and would advance to third on a sacrifice bunt.
SAU’s Michael Herndon would put the Muleriders on the board, connecting for a two-run homerun down the left field line.
Louis would get the next two batters out on a ground out and a fly ball to end the inning.
Barry Darcy would lead it off in the bottom half of the inning for the Weevils and after working the SAU pitcher for a full count, connected on the leadoff solo shot into the left field party deck.
Elijah Olaybal would draw a walk after the first out of the inning, followed by a walk to Eli Marvin to put runners at first and second.
Gabe Kuttenkuler would connect on a double to left to tie the contest after Olaybal crossed the plate.
After the second out of the inning, Caden Carney would connect for a single that scored Kuttnkuler and Marvin to give the Weevil a 4-2 lead.
The Weevils would extend the lead in the bottom of the third inning, adding two runs for a 6-2 advantage.
The Weevils would add a seventh run in the bottom of the fourth after Darcy led off the inning with his second home run of the contest.
SAU would score five runs in the top of the fifth to tie the contest 7-7 and would remain that way until the bottom of the sixth inning with Kuttenkuler connected on a two-run shot to right center that scored Marvin to put the Weevils up 9-7.
John White would come in for the Weevils and would allow one run in the top of the ninth inning, would close out the inning to earn his sixth save of the season giving UAM the 9-8 win and securing the regular season GAC Championship.
Aiden McGee would be credited for the win, improving his record to 1-1 on the season.
The regular season championship marks the second time in three seasons the Weevils have taken the regular season.
For head coach John Harvey, it makes the fourth time his team has achieved the accomplishment.
Under Harvey, the Weevils have also had three GAC Tournament Championships, six NCAA Regional appearances, a NCAA Regional Central POD 2 Championship, and a NCAA Super Regional appearance.
Harvey currently has a coaching record of 561-445.
The series would conclude on Saturday with the first game of a double-header starting at 2 pm.
Before the Saturday double-header, UAM Athletics and Weevil Baseball would honor 11 seniors.
Those seniors were Tyler Bribiescas, Beau Kuttenkuler, Eli Marvin, Kyle Tolley, Barry Darcy, Vincent Segovia, Nathan McManus, John White, Daniel Lazzrrage, Aiden McGee, and Bryce Louis.
Vincent Segovia would start the game on the bump for the Weevils and would have a 1-0 lead to work with after the Weevils scored a run in the bottom of the first inning.
SAU would take the lead in the top of the third inning, scoring four runs in the inning to take the 4-1 advantage.
Tyler Vincent would take over the pitching duties for the Weevils in the fourth inning, and would allow one run in the inning with SAU extending their lead to 5-1.
SAU would add another run in the top of the sixth inning to put the score at 6-1, but the Weevils would come back in the bottom of the sixth to score 11 runs with Kuttenkuler connecting for a two-run shot to center and Jackson Riedling hitting a solo homerun to right-center.
After the 11 runs, the Weevils led 12-6.
SAU would get a run in the top of the eighth with UAM getting three in the bottom of the inning.
SAU would get one final run in the top of the ninth inning with UAM taking Game One 15-8.
With the win, the Weevils secured the final series of the regular season bringing their total series wins to nine on the season.
Returning for the final contest of the regular season, UAM would call on Hunter Heath for the start in Game Two.
SAU would get a three-run advantage in the first inning highlighted by a two-run home run by SAU’s Tate Elliott.
The Weevils would get a run in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Eli Marvin would lead off with a walk with Gabe Kuttenkuler reaching on a fielder’s choice and then stole second base.
Beau Kuttnkuler would connect for a single that scored Gabe Kuttenkuler to cut the lead to 3-1.
SAU would get four runs in the top of the fifth inning to extend the lead to 7-1.
The score would remain until the end of the contest, with SAU taking Game Two.
The Weevils finish the regular season with an overall record of 31-16 and a 25-6 record in the Great American Conference taking the number one seed heading into the GAC Championship Tournament.
Arkansas Tech will be the second seed, followed by Harding University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southern Arkansas University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Ouachita Baptist University, and East Central University.
SEOSU will open the tournament on Thursday, April 30, against SAU at 9:30 am with the Weevils taking on East Central at 1 pm.
The tournament will be a double elimination tournament with all games being held at Babe Ruth Field at Majestic Park in Hot Springs Arkansas.
Also playing on day one will be Arkansas Tech taking on Ouachita Baptist at 4:30 pm and Harding facing NWOSU at 8 pm.
The tournament will continue on Friday and Saturday in each bracket with a final game on Sunday if necessary.
The winners of both brackets will face off in a best two of three series beginning on May 8.
The best of three series will be played between the two bracket winners and will be held on the home field of the highest ranked team in the finals.
