SHAWNEE, Okla. – Arkansas-Monticello senior LHP Mason Philley broke the UAM career strikeout record as the University of Arkansas at Monticello baseball team closed out their Great American Conference series with Oklahoma Baptist University on Saturday. The Weevils came out of the first game of the doubleheader with an 9-4 win over the Bison, followed by a 3-1 loss to conclude the series.

Senior LHP Mason Philley entered his eighth appearance of the 2023 season needing only five strikeouts to tie the UAM career strikeout record of 285. A record that has held its title for nearly 50 years, being set by David Stover in the 1974 season.

In the 4th inning of the ballgame, Philley threw his sixth strikeout of the game to set a new school record of 286 career strikeouts. He would go on to throw a season-high, and tie his career-high, 15 strikeouts in the 9-4 victory over the Bison.

Philley, a Monticello, Arkansas native, joined the Boll Weevil baseball program in 2019 after graduating from Monticello High School. Before Saturday's outing, the lefty had made 57 total appearances on the mound for UAM (4th all-time) with a career ERA of 5.16.

WATCH: Philley's Record Breaking Strikeout

Game 2, 9 Innings
 
Oklahoma Baptist: 4, Arkansas-Monticello: 9
WP: Mason Philley (5-2)
LP: Ryan Turbeville (2-3)
SV: None

Scoring Recap:
The Boll Weevils came out strong in game to, putting up seven runs in the top of the second inning. Noah Estrem, Kirk Woolf, Chaz Poppy and Chase Cripps all had singles in the inning to give UAM runs. There was also a throwing error that brought home another Weevil.

UAM scored two more runs in the fifth when Cade Thompson doubled to right center to score Clay Lockett, followed by an RBI single from Chaz Poppy to bring home Thompson.

The Bison responded in the bottom half of the inning with a run. Theywould score three more runs in the ninth, but were unable to reclaim the lead.

The game would come to an end with a 9-4 UAM victory to lock in a series win.

Game 3, 7 Innings
 
Oklahoma Baptist: 3, Arkansas-Monticello: 1
WP: Jake Hamilton (2-1)
LP: Derek Potts (2-2)
SV: None

Scoring Recap:
A solo home run in the second put Oklahoma Baptist on the board first to take a 1-0 lead over Arkansas-Monticello.

Kirk Woolf responded in the third, driving home Grant Jeffers on a ripped double down the right field line.

The Bison would find a run in the fourth, as well as the sixth, to take a 3-1 lead over the Weevils.

UAM was unable to respond and the game would come to a close.

Pitching Performances
Game 2
- Mason Philley started on the mound in game 2, totaling 8.2 innings pitched with 4 runs allowed, 8 hits and a season-high 15 strikeouts on the day.
- Matt Huey closed out the final 0.1 inning with 2 hits allowed.

Game 3
- Derek Potts started on the mound in game 3, totaling 6.0 innings pitched with 3 runs allowed, 5 hits and 5 strikeouts on the day.

Offensive Showcase
Game 2
- Cade Thompson - 1-for-3 with 1 Double, 2 Runs Scored, 1 RBI, 2 HBP, and 1 Walk
- Chaz Poppy - 3-for-5 with 3 RBI and 1 Run Scored
- Chase Cripps - 3-for-5 with 1 Triple, 1 RBI and 1 Run Scored

Game 3
- Kirk Woolf - 2-for-4 with 1 Double and 1 RBI

The split on the day pushes Arkansas-Monticello to a 14-11 overall and 8-7 in GAC play.

UP NEXT
Arkansas-Monticello is back in action on Tuesday, Mar. 21 when they travel to Clinton, Mississippi to take on Mississippi College. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.

All live streams and live stats will be available as clickable links on the UAM Baseball schedule.

How to follow the Weevils: For more information on Arkansas-Monticello Weevils Baseball, visit www.uamsports.com and follow the team's social media channels by searching "Weevils Baseball" on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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