NATCHITOCHES, La. – Little Rock snapped their four-game losing streak with a 7-5 victory in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader at Northwestern State, but fell to the Demons by the same score in the third series finale as the hosts took the series.
Game One
Jose Torres toed the rubber for the Trojans in game one of the doubleheader and was excellent in his six innings of work. The junior only surrendered one earned run in his outing.
Trace Jordan and
Ryan Benavidez each put together 3-for-5 performances at the plate to lead Little Rock offensively. Benavidez notched three doubles in the game and scored three runs.
The Trojans scored their first run in the second inning after Jordan led off the single with an infield single. Two Little Rock batsmen were hit by pitches and a passed ball brought Jordan to the plate for the game's first run.
Little Rock struck again in the third inning after back-to-back doubles from Benavidez and Jordan, who would trade places to double the Trojan lead.
The teams would trade runs in the fifth inning before
Chase Coker singled to lead off the sixth.
Nathan Lyons picked up his first career Little Rock hit with a single to left field to continue the rally.
Riley Pittman then grounded into a fielder's choice and a throwing error by the Northwestern State pitcher brought two runs home as the Trojans would take a 5-1 lead.
After an inning of scoreless baseball, the Demons would tack on four runs in the eighth to tie the score 5-5 heading into the final frame.
Benavidez led off with his third double of the game and then Coker was hit by a pitch. With two outs,
Troy Alexander came off the bench to deliver the clutch two-RBI double to give the Trojans a 7-5 advantage.
Donavin Buck would come on to pitch the final two innings and earn the win after only surrendering one run.
Game Two
Little Rock couldn't get the bats going in the series finale. It took the Trojans seven innings to score, but they exploded for a five spot in the seventh frame. Three consecutive hits from Jordan, Coker and Alexander started the rally.
Josh Nowak entered the game and lined a double to right field and came around to score on a wild pitch to conclude the scoring in the inning.
The Trojans used eight different pitchers in game three, but were unable to keep the Northwestern State offense in check as they scored seven runs on 10 hits while Little Rock made three errors defensively.
The Demons would hang on in the final two innings to take the game and the series with their 7-5 win.
The Trojans' road trip continues when they head to Oxford, Miss. to take on SEC opponent Ole Miss March 5 at 4 p.m.
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