There’s no denying that the 2022 Arkansas State baseball season is a kick in the balls so profound that no amount of testicle tanning can relieve the pain. But you wanna know something funny? Arkansas State is currently 3-0 versus in-state competition after a weather-shortened series sweep of UA Little Rock and a non-con win over UCA earlier in the season.

I dropped by Gary Hogan Field on Friday to witness the Red Wolves in action, fully expecting to see a hilarious Bad News Bears montage of missed grounders, wild pitches and bases-loaded walks. Instead, I witnessed some surprisingly capable baseball underscored by a volcanic 5-run second inning for the men in scarlet and black.

The two game win-streak could not come at a more opportune time, as Arkansas State busses over to the western area of the state for a Tuesday/Wednesday donnybrook with foes noted for some success. Now, if you follow Steve Sullivan on Twitter, you know that there isn’t a more magical and terrific program in baseball as the one luxuriously fielded about an hour south of Eureka Springs (where one can purchase a variety of hand-crafted soap). Presumably, the Red Wolves have their work cut out for them.

The Red Wolves have lowered their team ERA by nearly a run in recent weeks, so they no longer feature the Sun Belt’s worst pitching (thanks UTA), nor do they feature the coldest bats (thanks Appalachian State). A-State’s fielding percentage and errors-made are still the conference’s worst, but the Mavericks are determined to overtake the Red Wolves in those regards. Things are looking up in Jonesboro.

Let’s see if the momentum follows the Red Wolves to, you know, wherever.

PHOTO CREDIT: Generic Photo