NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks picked up their first win of the 2025 season today, defeating the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions 13-3 in the first game of their series. First-year head coach Matt Vanderburg also recorded his first win as a Lumberjack.
UAPB started hot, as they scored two runs in the top of the first inning courtesy of a two-run home run from Eli Gries-Smith. SFA would quickly respond. After Cermodrick Bland led off the inning with a single and a stolen base, Ben Hoshizaki would single to shortstop, and Bland would score on a throwing error. Later in the inning, Kevin Duran would single up the middle, scoring Hoshizaki. Tying the game at 2-2.
UAPB would regain the lead in the top of the second, scoring one, giving the Golden Lions a 3-2 lead. In the third, Josh Ibeand Mark Henning would lead off the inning with walks, and a Kevin Duran single would load the bases with no outs. Ibe would score on an RBI fielder’s choice by Ethan Adkisson to tie the game up, and Julian Swift would give the ‘Jacks the lead with a single to left, scoring Henning and giving SFA a 4-3 lead.
After the first three runs, SFA starter Cody Templeton would silence the Golden Lions bats for the next couple of innings. In the fourth, Mark Henning would hit the Lumberjacks second home run of the year, a towering shot over the right-center field wall that would give the Lumberjacks a 5-3 advantage.
After a scoreless fifth inning, SFA would extend their lead. Hoshizaki would walk to lead off the inning, and after he stole second, Josh Ibe would smash a double to right-center, scoring Hoshizaki. Henning would then pick up his second extra-base hit of the game, a double down the right field line for a 7-3 SFA lead.
Cody Templeton would continue to shut the UAPB bats down. He would finish his day with seven innings pitched, three earned runs, and nine strikeouts.
In the bottom of the seventh, Austin Cadroy would triple to right-center field and later score on an RBI groundout by Cemodrick Bland, giving the Lumberjacks an 8-3 lead.
In the top of the eighth, Hayden Tronson would throw a scoreless inning. In the bottom half of the inning, SFA would continue to add runs, scoring another five runs. The game would end at 13-3 in the 8th (10 run-rule).
Cody Templeton (1-1) would get the win, and Kenny Fabian (0-2) would be credited with the loss.
Top performers for the ‘Jacks
Cody Templeton – 7 IP, 3 ER, 9 SO
Mark Henning – 2 for 4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI’s, 3 Runs, BB
Josh Ibe – 2 for 4, 2B, RBI, BB
Ticket Information
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By: Eli Standley, Graduate Assistant for Strategic Communications