South Dakota State Outlasts Little Rock in Saturday Matchup

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Little Rock and South Dakota State engaged in a pitcher's duel Saturday afternoon at Gary Hogan Field, but it was the Jackrabbits that got the key runs when it counted, handing the Trojans a 3-1 loss for the first defeat of the 2023 season for Little Rock.
 
The loss overshadows a stellar pitching performance by the Little Rock staff. Preston Davis made the start for the Trojans and pitched four solid innings, allowing just three hits and striking out six, but a two-run homerun in the fourth would be enough to credit him with the loss in the game. Little Rock would scatter seven hits, all of which were singles, and were walked six times but could not cash in runs when given opportunities.
 
Chance Vaught made his 2023 debut in relief of Davis, going 2.2 innings and surrendering one run on two hits while striking out three. Sophomore Lukas Frers then came into the game in his Little Rock debut and threw the final 2.1 innings without allowing a run. The left-handed pitcher kept the Trojans in the game, allowing just two hits and striking out a pair in his appearance.
 
Little Rock was able to strike first in the bottom of the second when Jake Wright was brought home via a fielder's choice off the bat of Ben Harmon to take the early 1-0 lead. The Trojans would continue to threaten, reaching base in every inning but the eighth, but were unable to push a run across the plate for the remainder of the game.
 
Perhaps the best chance game in the bottom of the sixth, Noah Brewer began the inning with a single to center field. Ty Rhoades would be the next baserunner, singling through the left side before Harmon was hit by a pitch to load the bases with just one out.
 
South Dakota State then went to the bullpen and brought on 2022 Summit League First Team relief pitcher Ryan Bourassa to try to end the Trojan threat. Bourassa would strike out the next two Little Rock bats to end the inning and would go on to pitch the final three frames, being credited with the save in the process.
 
Rhoades and Alex Seguine each collected multiple hits for the Trojans on the afternoon, going a combined 4-for-7 while also reaching base by base on balls once each.
 
The Trojans and Jackrabbits finished the game even in the hits column with both teams getting seven. The difference is that for South Dakota State, five of the seven hits went for extra bases. This included four doubles as well as a two-run home run in the fourth inning.
 
Little Rock and South Dakota State will face off in the series finale tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. at Gary Hogan Field. The game will decide the winner of the series and newcomer Camden Sargent is slated to start for the Trojans.
 
For the latest information on Little Rock Baseball, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockBSB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
 
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