MACOMB, Ill.- Little Rock Baseball posts season high 15 runs in series opener over Western Illinois to take the series lead. Trojans will now look to win the series in tomorrow's game.
How It Happened
It was a back-and-forth game through the first 4 innings as the lead would change hands 5 times. The bats were hot for both sides, but Little Rock would ultimately outlast the Leathernecks for a 15-7 victory behind 4 multi-run innings.Â
Little Rock jumped ahead in the first inning after
Jake Wright scored off of a throwing error. Western Illinois would respond with 2 runs in the home half of the inning to take their own lead.
The Trojans matched the Leathernecks 2-run inning with one of their own in the top of the second as
Jake Wright knocked a 2 RBI single.
Hoss Brewer and the Trojans then put up a shutdown inning to maintain the lead.
Christian Bernabe hit an RBI single to score
Nico Baumbach to pad the lead. Western Illinois came back with a 3-run inning in the bottom of the third. This would ultimately be the last lead Western Illinois would have for the remainder of the game.
In the top of the fourth, Little Rock erupted for 4 runs. The first run was scored by
Noah Brewer after
Nico Baumbach earned a walk with bases loaded.
Tyler Williams then hit a 2 RBI double scoring
Jake Wright and
Luke Pectol.
Christian Bernabe then hit another RBI by way of a sacrifice fly to score
Nico Baumbach. After the 4-run inning, Little Rock posted another shutdown inning to retain their lead.
The Trojans really secured the lead with a 2-out rally in the top of the fifth. It all started with
Skyler Trevino reaching base off an error. This allowed
Jake Wright to step to the plate with a runner on. Wright then smoked a ball over the center field wall for a 2-run home run.
Luke Pectol then got into scoring position after hitting a single, stealing second base, and then advancing to third on a wild pitch.
Nico Baumbach then hit an RBI double to pad the lead. Western Illinois grabbed a run after a failed pick off led to a throwing error allowing a runner to score.
It was radio silence in the sixth inning, but the Trojans would grab 4 runs in the seventh inning.
Nico Baumbach hit another RBI single scoring
Skyler Trevino to add a run. After
Tyler Williams got hit by a pitch,
Ty Rhoades stepped to the plate with bases loaded. Rhoades earned a 3 RBI double pushing the lead to 15-6.
Western Illinois would go on to score 1 more in the bottom of the ninth, but it wouldn't be enough to take the game.
Josh Beezley was the pitcher of record improving to 2-1 on the year.
Key Players
- Jake Wright went 4/5 with 4 RBI, 2 runs scored, and a 2-run home run
- Nico Baumbach went 3/5 with 3 RBI and 3 runs scored
- Ty Rhoades earned 3 RBI with 3 walks
- Josh Beezley went 3.2 innings pitched conceding no hits, no runs, and only 1 walk
- Noah Burkey finished the game only conceding 1 run and 1 hit
Up Next
Little Rock now looks to take the series win over Western Illinois tomorrow at 11 a.m.
Jackson Wells is set to take the mound.
Â
