A.J. Lewis punctuated a five RBI, three-hit day with a fourth inning grand slam to propel Eastern Kentucky past Siena Baseball 11-8 in Game Two of a four-game weekend series in Richmond, Kentucky.
Jake Hall had three RBI and a pair of hits for the Saints in a high-scoring series in which the teams have combined for 42 runs over the first two contests.
Eastern Kentucky (6-2) scored nine unanswered runs in the third through fifth innings to pull out the victory. Following a four-run, five-hit third inning to take a 4-2 lead, Lewis accounted for all the scoring in the fourth to extend the advantage to six runs.
Siena (0-10) battled back, responding with a two-run
Devan Kruzinski homer in the sixth followed by a four-run seventh to rally within a run. Hall contributed an RBI single in the frame, while pinch hitter
Jonathan Crimmin delivered the big blow with a two-run double to draw the Saints within 9-8.
But Siena couldn't get any closer as the Colonels tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the eighth to seal the win. Charlie Ludwick added three RBI, while Nick Howie contributed three hits and scored twice for Eastern Kentucky.
Ryan McGee tallied a pair of double and stole a base for the Saints who finished with 10 hits.
The teams conclude their four-game weekend series Sunday, with doubleheader action beginning bright and early at 10 a.m. The first game will be broadcast on ESPN+.