Late Runs Cost Trojans in Midweek Game at Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Little Rock took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning but ended up dropping Tuesday's contest to Memphis by a final score of 3-5. The loss drops the Trojans record to 10-8 on the season as the team enters conference play beginning on Friday at Gary Hogan Field.
 
Both starters got out to hot starts in the game, allowing just one hit between the two of them through the first three innings. Little Rock started the scoring in the top of the fourth inning. Tyler Williams hit a one out double to right field which set up Ty Rhoades for an RBI single up the middle in the very next at bat.
 
Sophomore Noah Burkey would continue the strong start and retired the Tigers in order in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings. The Trojans would strike again in the top of the sixth with another extra base hit from Williams, this time a one out triple, as he later scored on a wild pitch to give Little Rock the 2-0 lead.
 
A leadoff bunt single chased Burkey from the game and the Tigers would go on to score three runs in the inning, all with two outs, to take the lead for good. Memphis tacked on two unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to stretch the lead to three at a score of 5-2.
 
The Trojans would attempt a comeback in the top of the ninth after Jake Wright reached on a hit by pitch and Jaxson Anderson scored him with a double, but the lead was too much to overcome.
 
Despite out hitting the Tigers eight hits to six, Memphis did a better job of stringing hits together, batting .417 (5-12) with runners on base compared to the Trojans .188 (3-16). The Tigers also scored four of their five runs with two outs in the inning.
 
Burkey put forward a strong effort and finished the game going 5 plus innings and allowing just two hits while striking out four, his one run against came after he had exited the contest.
 
Williams was impressive at the plate in a 2-for-4 performance with two extra base hits, including his team leading fourth triple of the season. The Lilburn, Georgia native also scored two of the three Little Rock runs.
 
Anderson picked up an RBI in his pinch hit appearance, knocking a double the other way into left-center field.
 
Camden Sargent pitched a clean inning of relief in the eighth and struck out two in the process.

The Trojans will be back in action this Friday at Gary Hogan Field when Lindenwood comes to town for a three game set to start the Ohio Valley Conference schedule.
 
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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