Trojans Dominate Final Innings to Claim Series Victory

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Little Rock secured a series victory against UT Martin Friday afternoon with an 8-3 win at Gary Hogan Field. The win improves the Trojans record to 16-11 on the season and 5-3 in Ohio Valley Conference play with a chance to sweep the Skyhawks tomorrow afternoon.
 
After a quick first inning from Little Rock starter Noah Burkey, the Trojans got out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. Scoring both runs with two outs on singles from Nico Baumbach and Luke Pectol.
 
The second inning was fairly quiet as Burkey picked up a pair of strikeouts and, outside of a Jake Wright single, the Trojans were unable to get anything going.
 
UT Martin produced both of their hits on the afternoon in the top of the third inning, bringing three runs across the plate and taking a one run lead to the bottom of the inning.
 
Little Rock answered almost immediately, three consecutive singles from Baumbach, Skyler Trevino and Pectol brought a run home and put runners on second and third after Pectol advanced on a throw to the plate. The Skyhawk pitcher then balked prior to the first pitch to Christian Bernabe, scoring Trevino and putting Little Rock on top for good.
 
The Trojans would extend the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Baumbach started things off with a double to right center before Trevino brought him home with an almost identical double into the gap. A pair of infield hits followed as Pectol and Bernabe each won a footrace to the bag, scoring another run with just one out. Sophomore Alex Seguine would deliver the final runs of the inning with a two out two RBI double to left center with the bases loaded, giving the Trojans an 8-3 lead, which would become the final score.
 
The pitching staff for the Trojans retired the final 15 Skyhawk batters of the game and 20 of the final 21 outside of a hit by pitch in the top of the fifth as no UT Martin hitters reached base in the final four frames.
 
Burkey started the game and pitched seven strong innings, allowing just two hits and two earned runs while striking out three on 108 pitches before handing the ball off to Scott McDonough and Erik McKnight to retire the final six batters of the game.
 
Baumbach was perfect at the plate tonight in a 4-for-4 performance and reaching in all five of his plate appearances. The sophomore infielder scored three times and drove in one with three singles and a double.
 
Pectol led the Trojans in RBI this afternoon with two in a 3-for-4 game, he also scored once.
Trevino was the final Little Rock hitter to collect multiple hits, going 2-for-4 and scoring twice.
 
Little Rock will go for the sweep tomorrow against the Skyhawks at 1 p.m. at Gary Hogan Field. Preston Davis will make the start for the Trojans and he will be matched up against Eric Steensma for UT Martin.
 
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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