Trojans Blank Golden Eagles in Series Opener

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Sophomore Jackson Wells came within two outs of his second complete game shutout in Ohio Valley Conference play this season but was relieved after 120 pitches, a double play a batter later completed the shutout and gave the Trojans a 7-0 Friday night win. The win improves Little Rock's record to28-18 on the season and 13-5 in conference play with just five games to go.
 
Wells started off the game with back to back strikeouts before a pop out ended a quick 1-2-3 top of the first inning. Little Rock wasted no time getting on the board with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Singles from Tyler Williams and Luke Pectol put runners on the corners with one out before a wild pitch advanced both runners and scored the first run of the game. Nico Baumbach would follow with a single to right that scored Pectol and ended the scoring for the inning.
 
Another two strikeouts and a fielder's choice awaited the TTU batters in the top of the second as it was apparent Wells was in a groove. This became even more obvious when Wells bested himself in the third by striking out the side in order, compiling seven strikeouts through the first three frames.
 
The Trojans doubled up on their lead in the bottom of the third, Williams worked himself into scoring position after reaching on an error and then stealing second base. Baumbach picked up another RBI on a single to left that scored Williams before a double to right-center by Skyler Trevino brought Baumbach home, putting Little Rock up 4-0.
 
Tennessee Tech was finally able to get its first hit with two outs in the top of the fourth on a high fly ball that found a hole in no man's land in shallow left-center, the inning was ended a batter later on a pop out to short.
 
Some danger was avoided in the top of the sixth, a single led off the inning before a lineout to second was able to be converted into a double play. A two out double and hit by pitch put two on but Wells was fortunately able to coax a ground ball for a 4-3 putout to end the inning.
 
Little Rock added another pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth. Christian Bernabe and Ty Rhoades reached on a single and walk before Jake Wright bunted both into scoring position. Alex Seguine then stepped into the box and sent a hard ground ball back up the middle to score both runs and give Little Rock a commanding six run lead.
 
After another inning in which Wells struck out two in the top of the seventh, the Trojans would add one more run on a Noah Brewer double and Ty Rhoades infield single to reach the final score of 7-0.
 
Although Wells' pitch count was high, a six pitch eighth inning allowed him to return for the ninth. A single off the top of the left field wall began the inning before a pop out and hit by pitch put two on with one out. Erik McKnight entered the game out of the bullpen and got the next batter to ground into a 5-3 double play to end the game and complete the shutout.
 
Not once in the eight innings the Trojans came to bat did they go down quietly with at least one hitter reaching in every frame as Little Rock collected 14 hits and were walked four times in the game.
 
Wells dominated the Tennessee Tech lineup tonight with a career high 11 strikeouts over 8.1 innings pitched, scattering six hits and walking just one.
 
Baumbach led the Trojans with three hits in a 3-for-5 game that saw him drive in a pair of runs and score once.
 
Seguine delivered a dagger in the sixth with the two RBI single to put the Trojans up six, he went 2-for-5 on the night with a pair of singles.
 
The Trojans will try and win the series tomorrow in a 4 p.m. start time, Noah Burkey will be taking the bump for Little Rock.
 
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