Little Rock Falls to Memphis in Close Contest

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Trojans lost in a midweek matchup for the first time this season on Tuesday, ending up on the wrong side of a one run game against Memphis. The loss drops Little Rock to 9-5 on the season with the first road trip of 2023 on the horizon.
 
Both offenses were getting their footing in the first few frames with the first inning being an uneventful 1-2-3 for both sides. Memphis and Little Rock would each get runners to second and third in the second inning, but neither was able to cash in runs and the game carried on with an even 0-0 score.
 
Memphis was the first to strike, in the top of the fourth shortstop Tyler Heckert placed a two out single into left field with the bases loaded. The result of the play was a 2-0 lead for the Tigers before Austin Stubber entered the game and got the next batter to ground out to short.
 
Little Rock attempted to counter in the bottom half of the inning as a single from Noah Brewer and double from Skyler Trevino got two runners in scoring position with less than two outs. The Tigers defense prevailed however as they cut down Brewer at home on a fielder's choice and ended the inning with a strikeout.
 
Stubber would continue his strong outing until the top of the seventh as Hoss Brewer entered the game for Little Rock. Brewer ended a 1-2-3 inning on just ten pitches to get Little Rock back to the dugout with some momentum. The Trojans took advantage and, after a leadoff walk by Jake Wright, Ty Rhoades hit the first homerun of his collegiate career after a long at bat to tie the game at two all entering the eighth.
 
The Tigers were able to retake the lead in the top of the inning thanks to a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded and one out. The inning would end on the same play though, as Wright had the awareness to throw to second base after the play at the plate, completing the 9-2-6 double play.
 
Little Rock was once again able to load the bases with less than two outs in the bottom of the eighth, but Memphis made a pitching change to Dalton Kendrick who was able to strike out the next two Trojan batters.
 
The game ended calmly with both sides being retired in order, giving Memphis the win the first of two midweek matchups between the programs this season. Little Rock will travel to Memphis next week to take the Tigers on at their home ballpark.
 
The difference in the game was the ability to capitalize with runners in scoring position as Memphis left seven runners on base in the game to Little Rock's nine and strong pitching performances from both sides limited hits to just 14 total between the two teams.
 
Rhoades was the only Trojan to drive in runs on the afternoon in a 1-for-3 performance which saw him hit his first collegiate homerun, a two-run blast in the bottom of the seventh.
 
Noah Brewer was on base consistently for the Trojans in his 2-for-3 performance that included two singles, he also walked once.
 
Stubber completed another strong appearance out of the bullpen this afternoon. The senior from Hope, Arkansas pitched 2.1 innings and allowed just one hit while striking out one.
 
Jacob Weatherley entered in the eighth and threw the final two innings for the Trojans, allowing just one hit and striking out one on 23 pitches.
 
The Trojans will now hit the road for the first time in 2023, traveling to Natchitoches, Louisiana for a weekend series at Northwestern State. Friday's game will be a 6:30 p.m. first pitch at Brown-Stroud 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.
 
Get the latest Trojan news – including the weekly Trojan Report – delivered to you direct to your inbox by signing up for Little Rock Trojan E-News here.
 
#LittleRocksTeam