Trojans Even Series With Strong Pitching

STATESBORO, Ga. – Strong pitching by Little Rock baseball (19-18, 12-8 Sun Belt) staved off Georgia Southern (24-16, 10-10 Sun Belt) as the Trojans picked up a 3-2 win and evened the series at 1-1 on Saturday night at J.I. Clements Stadium in Statesboro.
 
Little Rock starter Cory Malcom (4-3) had the best outing of his three-year career as threw a career-high nine strikeouts in 8.0 innings while allowing just two runs on five hits and two walks on 120 pitches. In the process, Malcom picked up his third straight win.
 
For the second straight game, Little Rock was held to just four hits. Dalton Thomas, Nik Gifford and Hayden Martin each picked up hits while also earning an RBI each. Thomas also hit his seventh home run of the season.
 
After Little Rock left the bases loaded in the top of the first, Georgia Southern put the first run of the game across in the bottom of the inning. With two outs and a runner on third, Ryan Cleveland hit an RBI single into center to give the Eagles an early 1-0 lead.
 
Scoreless in the second, Little Rock changed it up in the third to tie the game at 1-1. Ryan Scott earned his 11th double and 65th hit of the season to lead off the inning. With one out, Nik Gifford hit an RBI single to right to plate Scott from second and knot the game. That would be all for Georgia Southern starter Chase Cohen as Ryan Fredrick (0-1) came on to get the final two outs.
 
After Zach Baker walked and advance to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kyle Kirk, Adam Kelly came on to relieve Fredrick. Fredrick record the strikeout against the first Trojan he faced, but Hayden Martin came through with an RBI single up the middle to score Baker and give the Trojans a 2-1 lead.
 
Little Rock starter Cory Malcom was lights out in the bottom of the fourth. Malcom made quick work of the Eagles as he struck out the side to give himself five for the game. Malcom kept up Georgia Southern at bay and soon found himself with eight strikeouts, setting a new career-high.
 
Hitless through three at-bats, Dalton Thomas changed it up in the top of the eighth with a leadoff homer to right center. His seventh home run of the year put Little Rock up 3-1.
 
Malcom stayed on the mound to begin the bottom of the eighth and struck out his ninth batter to begin the frame. After giving up a hit and a fielder's choice, a ground out ended the inning as Malcom matched a career-high 8.0 innings on the mound.
 
Malcom stayed on the mound to try for the complete game in the bottom of the ninth, but after giving up a solo shot to Cleveland and walking a batter on four straight pitches, his night came to an end. Cody Daylor came on to close for Little Rock with a 3-2 lead and a runner on first. A sacrifice bunt moved the runner over to second for the first out of the inning before Daylor came through with a strikeout for the second out. With a 1-0 count, the Eagles' Kent Rollins almost got away with a foul ball, but Kyle Kirk reached over the railing to record the final out and give Daylor his third save of the season.
 
"It was a team win, and I say that because we've been an offensive club all year long," head coach Chris Curry said. "Cory Malcom and Cody Daylor pitched a gem of a ballgame. That was the Cory we remember from last year, and I have to think that he's settling in. He wasn't overpowering with velocity, but his command was outstanding. Daylor got walked-off last night, but all he did tonight was shove it in the zone. It was an awesome win against a very tough club on the road."
 
With 10 Sun Belt games remaining, Little Rock has matched last year's conference win total of 12.
 
Little Rock will go for its sixth Sun Belt series win of the season in tomorrow's noon (CT) rubber game in Statesboro.