MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Little Rock had opportunities early to take control against App State, but the Trojans couldn't take advantage while the Mountaineers used a six-run sixth inning to hand the Trojans the 10-3 loss, bringing the Trojans' 2022 season to a close.
Little Rock finishes the 2022 season at 24-27, closing out its 31-year run as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The Trojans scored their three runs on five hits, but left 13 runners on base, which proved to be costly.
Little Rock had its first offensive threat of the game in the bottom second as
Nathan Lyons,
Jaxson Anderson and
Jake Wright all drew walks to load the bases with two gone, but the Trojans couldn't get the hit it needed as Little Rock left all three stranded and the score remained 0-0.
After a great fielding play by
Eldrige Figueroa in right to rob App State of an extra base hit and end the top of the third, The Trojans would take advantage in the home half inning, beginning with
Jorden Hussein reaching on a fielding error, advancing to second off a sacrifice bunt from Figueroa.
Tyler Williams had a single to right off a nine-pitch at-bat, then stole second to give runners at second and third with one out.
A Canyon McWillliams sacrifice fly to center brought Hussein home, then Lyons beat out a throw to first with two gone to allow Williams to score from second and give the Trojans the 3-0 lead after three.
Figueroa would show off the glove again in the fourth, making a diving catch in right center to rob App State of another extra base hit. He would then just miss a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth, sending it foul by less than five feet, and would be part of three Trojans that would load the bases in the fourth, but all three were stranded as Little Rock was unable to extend its lead.
App State would respond in the top of the fifth, using back-to-back doubles, and then taking advantage of a pair of wild pitches to tie the game at 2-2, ending
Hayden Arnold's day after 4.2 innings of work. Arnold allowed two runs on three hits with a walk and five strikeouts after throwing 79 pitches.
The Mountaineers then did what a handful of other teams have done this season – use a big sixth-run sixth to break the game open at 8-2. Little Rock chipped into the lead in the bottom of the sixth as McWilliams send an RBI single to right center to bring Hussein home. But it was more missed opportunities as the Trojans left a pair stranded in the sixth.
Little Rock cut into the App State lead in the home half of the sixth as a single by Hussein and a walk to Figueroa put two on for McWilliams, who sent a blooper to right center that landed in between three Mountaineer fielders and allowed Hussein to score to make it 8-3. But as was the story of the night, the Trojans left a pair stranded.
App State would add another run in both the seventh and eighth inning, extending the lead to 10-3, before the two teams had to wait out a nearly two hour lightning and rain delay. When play resumed just before 10 p.m., Little Rock was unable to cut into the lead, ending its time in the Sun Belt with the 10-3 loss.
Five different Trojans scattered the five hits on the night, but App State pitching confused Little Rock batters all evening, combining for 17 strikeouts on the evening. Hussein, Williams, McWilliams, Lyons and Soto had the five hits on the night for Little Rock.
On the mound, Arnold earned the no-decision after leaving with two outs in the fifth.
Sawyer Smallwood took the loss for Little Rock, allowing five runs on four hits in 1.0 innings pitched. Three other Trojans saw action on the night, including
Chance Vaught pitching 2.0 innings and giving up just one run on three hits with three strikeouts.
Preston Davis also pitched a solid ninth, retiring all three batters he faced on seven pitches.
Little Rock now turns its sights to 2023 as the Trojans will leave the Sun Belt and join the Ohio Valley Conference, setting up new challenges, rivalries and expectations.
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