LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Trojans led for a good chunk of the game against SIUE Friday night but couldn't hang on in the first of three games between the two Ohio Valley Conference foes this weekend at Gary Hogan Field. The Cougars (11-5, 18-21 OVC) scored five runs in the ninth inning to seal the 9-7 victory.
Saturday's game begins at 4 p.m.
The Cougars took the lead in the third inning on a pair of solo homers. However, in the bottom half of the frame,
Zach Henry and
Ryan Geck slammed back-to-back doubles that plated runs and tied the game at two.
The Trojans (18-23, 7-8 OVC) took the lead for the first time in the fourth inning when
Sammy Harris doubled in a run. Henry grounded out scoring another run making it 4-2.
Jayce Blalock pushed the lead to 5-2 with an RBI singled in the fifth inning.
After SIUE added a run to make it 5-4 in the eighth inning,
Ty Rhoades roped a two-RBI double to increase the lead to 7-4.
SIUE exploded for five runs in the ninth, and the Trojans didn't have an answer in the bottom half of the frame.
Starting Trojans pitcher
Jackson Wells had a good performance going six innings and giving up five hits, three runs, three earned runs, 5 hits, 1 walk and 7 strikeouts.
Blake Van Cleve took the loss in relief.
