LITTLE ROCK – In its final non-conference game before Sun Belt Conference play, Little Rock baseball (7-9) will make the short trip up to Central Arkansas (6-11) for the first game of the Rock 'n' Roar Rivalry on Tuesday afternoon in Conway. First pitch at Bear Stadium is scheduled for 4 p.m., after being moved up due to cold temperatures later in the evening.
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Tuesday afternoon's game will be the 73rd overall meeting between the Trojans and Bears with UCA holding the series lead at 41-30-1. Last year, both teams won at home before the Bears clinched the season series with a one-run win at Dickey-Stephens Park.
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Little Rock will start right-hander
Matt McDowell (0-4) while UCA will throw lefty Will Brand (1-1). McDowell will be making his fourth start of the season while Brand will be making his first Division I start.
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- A win for Little Rock would be the Trojans' first in Conway since 2011.
- Little Rock's fielding percentage of .984 ranks sixth nationally.
- The Trojans' 34 doubles rank 35th in Division I.
- Little Rock's pitching staff is recording 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings — 36th nationally.
- The Trojans' 155 hits rank 62nd in the country.
- Ryan LeMoine and Dylan Slayton are tied for the third-most appearances in the nation this season with 11.
- Hunter Owens' 25 hits rank 49th nationally and third in the Sun Belt while his seven doubles rank 35th nationally and third in the conference.
- Head coach Chris Curry's next win will be his 50th.
- Dalton Thomas has reached base safely in all 16 of Little Rock's games this season.
- Thomas currently has the longest-active hitting streak on the team at eight games.
- Little Rock's pitching staff hasn't allowed a home run in eight consecutive games and has only given up two in the past 12 games.
