Box Score MIAMI, Fla. ? The UALR Trojans baseball team (3-11, 0-2) grabbed an early lead against the Florida International Panthers (7-10, 2-2) but were unable to hold on, dropping a 9-3 decision in the opening game of a three-game series.
In the top of the first, the Trojans got two quick outs before Matt Apfel singled through the left side. Greg McCarthy and Robert Taylor followed by back-to-back singles, scoring Apfel.
The lead was short-lived as Tyler Townsend hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first, scoring Jorge Castillo.
The Panthers extended their lead in the bottom of the second, scoring four runs off of four hits. Castillo singled to start the Panther rally. Javier Sojo followed three batters later with a single through the right side of the infield, scoring two Panthers.
The Trojans would try to rally in the top of the third. Again, Apfel would start the rally, singling to right field. McCarthy then followed with a home run to right field, cutting the Panther lead to 6-3.
The Panthers would take control of the game from there as Chris Allen shut UALR down for the remainder of the game. Allen went the distance, only striking out three Trojans, but limiting the team to three hits over the last six innings.
David Klumpp went seven and two-thirds innings striking out three Panthers in the game. McCarthy went 2-for-4 in the game with two RBIs. The home run he hit in the third was his sixth of the season.
The Trojans return to action tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. as they look to rebound against the Panthers.
