Trojans Go up Big Early, Hold on for Win in Series Finale

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Trojans raced out to an 11-0 lead after the first three innings and denied an attempted comeback from the Tigers to eventually win on Sunday afternoon by a score of 15-9. The win improves Little Rock's record to 9-4 and completes the first weekend sweep of the 2023 season.
 
Action began in the bottom of the first inning almost immediately. After a leadoff walk from Luke Pectol, Tyler Williams stepped into the box and sent a triple down the right field line to give Little Rock a 1-0 lead. Baserunners would file in behind Williams with a walk and hit by pitch to load the bases with no outs. Skyler Trevino then stepped in the box and crushed the first pitch he saw over the right-center field fence for a grand slam, his second of the season. The Trojans would add one more run in the inning courtesy of a sac fly off the bat of Ryan Lee and when the dust settled Little Rock led by six runs.
 
Starting pitcher Preston Davis struck out two in the top of the second inning and when Little Rock got back into the dugout the offense was back on the attack. Nico Baumbach started off the bottom of the frame with a solo shot, his seventh homerun on the season, and two more Trojan runs would cross in the inning thanks to base on balls and Tiger miscues.
 
The bottom of the third had more offense in store for Little Rock, two walks and a double from Trevino brought home his fifth and sixth RBI of the game and the Trojans stretched their lead to the largest margin of the game, going up 11-0.
 
Both offenses were quiet in the fourth inning before Grambling finally got on the board in the top of the fifth, striking for four runs and cutting the Trojans lead to seven runs. Little Rock was able to get two of those runs back in the bottom of the frame on a wild pitch that scored Ben Harmon and a first and third play that brought Trevino home.
 
Grambling would get four more runs in the top of the sixth with a flurry of hits to bring the game within five at 13-8, but again the Trojans responded with two of their own as Andrew Pickering scored on a wild pitch and Harmon was brough home with a sac fly.
 
Scott McDonough entered the game for Little Rock in the top of the eighth and struck out three over the final two innings while not giving up a run to win the game for Little Rock and complete the series sweep.
The Trojan offense showed patience today at the dish, walking a total of eleven times while also being plunked four times. Baserunners were also very active, stealing seven bags on the afternoon.
 
Trevino led the way for Little Rock with his 2-for-3 performance that included a double and grand slam. The Whitehouse, Texas native brought home six runs and scored three times while also stealing a pair of bases.
 
Pickering got the start in right field today and finished going 2-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base.
 
Baumbach went 1-for-3 in the game with a homerun, he scored three times and brought home two runs while also stealing a bag.
 
Davis was credited with the win for his efforts in his start. The sophomore right-hander pitched four no hit innings and didn't allow a run while striking out four batters.
 
Little Rock will be back in action on Tuesday in a midweek matchup against the Memphis Tigers. This will be the final home game before the Trojans go on the road for the first time this year with a trip to Northwestern State over the weekend. Tuesday's game is scheduled for a 3 p.m. first pitch at Gary Hogan Field.
 
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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