Trojans Claim Series Win in Close Sunday Contest

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Holding on to a one run lead in the top of the ninth inning, sophomore Lukas Frers forced a deep flyout with runners on first and third from Jackrabbits third baseman Nic Nelson to get the victory for the Trojans.
 
Both teams had their offense active early, with South Dakota State pushing a run across in the top of the first via a wild pitch. Little Rock would strike back to draw the game to a tie in the bottom of the frame, after Ben Harmon reached base on a one out single and got to second with a wild pitch, Noah Brewer stepped up to the plate and brought Harmon in with a two out double.
 
Little Rock starter Camden Sargent then struck out the first batter in the top of the second and kept the Jackrabbits off the board. After a quiet bottom of the second, SDSU tacked on another run with a single from Cade Stuff in the top of the third.
 
The bottom of the third inning was a good one for the Trojans. After back to back singles from Aidan Garrett and Alex Seguine, Brewer again stepped up to the plate and laced a double down the left field line, scoring both runners. The Trojan onslaught didn't stop there as Skyler Trevino then sent a single into right field which brough Brewer home from second base. After a Jackrabbits pitching change Jake Wright sent a double the other way down the right field line to bring Trevino home. At the end of the inning, Little Rock had taken a 5-2 lead, scoring four runs in the inning all of which were with two outs.
 
Austin Stubber relieved Sargent in the top of the fourth and after a leadoff double, wiggled his way out of the inning with no damage done, striking out a batter in the process. The Trojans were able to get the bases loaded in the bottom half of the inning with just one out thanks to singles from Seguine and Harmon, and a walk to Nico Baumbach. Brewer then hit a deep fly ball which was able to bring Seguine in to score, extending the lead yet again.
 
South Dakota State did not go down without a fight, in the top of the fifth inning Jackrabbits centerfielder Drew Beazley was able to poke a two out two-run homer over the left-center field wall to cut the Trojan lead in half. Stubber would then coax a groundout to end the inning after another double from the opposition.
 
Both offenses were quieted for a time as Jacob Weatherley entered the game in the top of the sixth, not allowing the Jackrabbits a run through their next two at bats. The Trojans got on the board again with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Trevino took a 2-0 pitch and sent it out toward a deep section of Gary Hogan Field, the ball cleared the wall to the left of the scoreboard for a solo shot, extending the Little Rock lead. The eventual game winner was the second homer of the series for Trevino, and it traveled a distance of over 400 feet.
 
After Weatherley found himself in a sticky situation after allowing a two-run homer in the top of the eighth, Frers made his second appearance in as many days to try and preserve the Trojan lead. He was able to navigate his way through the inning thanks to a strikeout with a Jackrabbit runner on third and facing the heart of the order.
 
Things became interesting in the top of the ninth, after two quick outs the Jackrabbits were able to get runners on first and third down to their last out. Fortunately, Frers forced a fly ball to right field which ended the threat and the game.
 
Five Trojans collected multiple hits on the day, including a three hit day from Seguine, the Little Rock shortstop also scored twice and finished the weekend with a .500 batting average.
 
Brewer had a big day for the Trojans, going 2-for-3 at the plate and knocking in four runs for Little Rock while also scoring once.
 
Trevino hit his second homerun in the young season in a 2-for-4 performance which included two RBI.
 
Jake Wright registered his first multi-hit game of the season, going 2-for-4 and bringing in a run.
 
Sargent got the first start of his Little Rock career, going three innings and allowing four hits and two runs while striking out one.
 
Stubber picked up his second win of the season for his efforts coming out of the bullpen. The senior right-hander threw two innings, giving up four hits and two runs while striking out one.
 
After closing the Friday game and getting the save, Weatherley got through two and a third innings in today's game. He allowed just two hits and two runs while striking out four of his seven outs.
 
Frers was solid in his one and two thirds' innings of work after throwing 34 pitches the day prior. The sophomore lefty didn't allow a run on two hits while striking out one and was also credited with his first save in a Little Rock uniform.
 
With the win, Little Rock improves to 2-1 on the season and will be back in action on Tuesday, when Gary Hogan Field plays host to in-state opponent UA Pine Bluff. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
 
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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