Trojans Snap Three Game Skid with Sunday Win Over Demons

NATCHITOCHES, La. – The Trojans got back on the winning side of things on Sunday afternoon with a convincing victory over Northwestern State at Brown-Stroud Field. The win improves Little Rock's record to 10-7 on the season with just one more game to go before the inaugural Ohio Valley Conference schedule begins next Friday.
 
Northwestern State took the early lead in the bottom of the first, scoring on a one out single through the left side that brought home an unearned run. Little Rock would become active in the top of the third, after two quick outs Aidan Garrett reached on a single to right in an 0-2 count. Luke Pectol then stepped up to the plate and hit his second homerun of the year to give the Trojans their first lead of the weekend. Tyler Williams then got to first on a dropped third strike and stole second before he scored on a single up the middle, giving Little Rock a 3-1 lead that would not be relinquished for the remainder of the game.
 
The Demons began the bottom of the third with a solo homerun which would briefly cut the lead to one, but Little Rock would go back on the attack in the top of the fifth. Garrett again began the action with a one out single up the middle, but he would be cut down at the plate on the double that followed from Pectol. Williams then showed off impressive speed by legging out an infield single to score Pectol and keep the inning alive for the Trojans.
 
Nico Baumbach then crushed the first pitch he saw to left center, putting the Trojans up by four as the ball sailed over the fence. After a walk to Ryan Lee, Skyler Trevino also homered on the first pitch he saw, bringing Little Rock to its final run total of eight. The five run inning extended the Trojan lead out to six runs at 8-2.
 
Both offenses quieted down through the rest of the middle innings and into the late stages of the game. Starter Preston Davis pitched through the fifth inning and only allowed two hits to the Demons. He was relieved by Austin Stubber in the sixth and Stubber would go on to keep Northwestern off the board for the next three innings. The eighth being especially impressive when, after a leadoff single and walk, the senior righthander would strike out the next three batters to snuff out any Demons threat.
 
Northwestern State made an effort at a comeback in the bottom of the ninth. A slicing double that just snuck into fair territory and a looping single to right field put the tying run on first with two outs. Trojan Reliever Jacob Weatherley kept his composure and struck out the final batter looking on three pitches, ending the game and securing a Trojan victory.
 
The Trojans scored all of their runs this afternoon with two outs in the inning, doing a great job capitalizing on scoring opportunities by leaving just four runners on base during the game. In addition, Little Rock showed off the power with homeruns from three different players, these round trippers were responsible for scoring six of the eight Little Rock runs today.
 
Davis was solid in his start today, earning the win and going five innings. The sophomore righty allowed just two hits and two earned runs while striking out five.
 
Baumbach led the Trojans in RBI for the day with three in a 2-for-3 performance which was cut short due to an ejection caused by an illegal bat flip following his homerun in the top of the fifth. The Euless, Texas native continues to lead the Trojans in homers, today brought his total to eight on the season.
 
Trevino and Pectol each collected a pair of RBI with their respective two run homeruns. Pectol went 2-for-5 on the afternoon while Trevino was 1-for-3.
 
Garrett and Williams served as offensive catalysts today. It was Garrett who reached first to start the offensive in both innings that the Trojans scored, singling in the third and fifth and scoring once. Williams kept the fifth inning alive with great speed, beating out a groundball to short for an infield hit. The Trojans center fielder was 2-for-5 in the game, adding his third triple of the year in the top of the ninth.
 
Stubber was yet again stellar out of the bullpen, he finished the game with 3.1 inning pitched allowing 2 hits and 2 runs while striking out six, a new career high.
 
Little Rock will return to action on Tuesday with the second half of a home and home midweek series against Memphis. This time the Trojans will make the trip up I-40 to Memphis for a 6 p.m. first pitch.
 
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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