LITTLE ROCK- For the second consecutive game, the Trojans walked it off in the bottom of the tenth inning. This time a base hit from
Eldrige Figueroa did the job as he scored
Chase Coker from first base to seal the 4-3 victory over Texas State in the series opener, Friday night at Gary Hogan Field.
"It was a very well-played baseball game," said Head Coach
Chris Curry. "It was executed at a high level on both ends. That's a very good Texas State club. Down the stretch, the best players have to do it in the biggest moments and our Friday-night guy goes nine innings and our closer came in and kept it right where it is. Whether we are playing well or we are playing poorly, we never quit."
Chandler Fidel was exceptional on the mound for Little Rock, throwing nine innings in his final start at Gary Hogan Field this season. The junior allowed three runs on just six hits while tying a career-high 12 strikeouts on the night.
Donavin Buck came on for the tenth inning and threw a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.
Riley Pittman continued his hot streak at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a solo home run on the night. Coker hit his second home run of the season, notching a 2-for-4 night of his own while also scoring the winning run. Figueroa got the big hit in the bottom of the tenth to clinch the victory in his 1-for-4 night.
The Trojans wasted no time getting on the board in the series opener as Pittman blasted a no-doubt home run, his 13
th of the year, in the first inning to give his team an early 1-0 lead.
Texas State answered with a solo home run in the top of the second to even the score.
Both teams would go scoreless for the next three frames until Coker stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the fifth and launched his second homer of the season to give Little Rock a 2-1 edge.
The Bobcats were, once again, quick to respond, scoring twice in the sixth to take a 3-2 lead.
Troy Alexander leveled things up, hitting the Trojans' third solo home run of the night to tie the score yet again. This was Alexander's 11
th home run of the season, adding to his career high.
Neither team could seem to get anything going offensively until the bottom of the tenth. Coker led things off with a bunt base hit to set the table and get himself on first base. The winning moment came when Figueroa stepped to the plate in a 3-2 count and chopped a ball over the first baseman's head. Coker, who was running on the pitch, raced all the way around to home plate, sliding in ahead of the outfielder's throw to win the game for Little Rock.
This win makes it back-to-back walk-off victories for the Trojans, grabbing an important win over conference-leading Texas State.
Game two will take place tomorrow at 2 p.m. Senior Day festivities will take place starting at 1:15 p.m. at Gary Hogan Field, as the Trojan seniors will be honored for their hard work and dedication to the Little Rock baseball program.
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