LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Visiting SIUE struck in the late innings again during Sunday's series finale with Little Rock, leaving the Trojans with an 8-4 defeat at Gary Hogan Field while the Cougars completed a sweep of the weekend set. The Trojans trailed just 4-3 after seven frames before SIUE put four on the board in the eighth to put the game out of reach.
Little Rock (18-25, 7-10 OVC) is scheduled to host Arkansas State for a midweek contest Tuesday evening before heading to Charleston, Ill. for a weekend series with OVC foe Eastern Illinois. The Trojans are currently tied with UT Martin for the final two spots in the upcoming OVC Championships with nine conference games remaining. SIUE (20-21, 13-5 OVC) is tied for the conference lead.
SIUE opened the scoring early with a pair in the first inning, which the Trojans would match later in the second on a two-run double from Cade Martin that scored Ty Rhoades and Angel Cano and tied the game. Little Rock starter Zach Busick would retire 14 consecutive batters between the second and sixth innings before leaving the game in the sixth with two runners on and a 3-2 Cougar lead. SIUE would add another run in the sixth charged to Busick.
The Trojans picked up a run in the seventh on another double from Martin to get within 4-3, but SIUE hit three homers in the eighth, scoring three runs to increase its lead to 8-3. Cooper Chaplain drove in a run for Little Rock in the bottom half to close out the scoring.
Busick took the loss despite a solid five innings of work, during which he struck out six and gave up just one walk and three earned runs. Hunter Royal struck out five in two scoreless innings of relief. Little Rock used three more relievers to finish off the final two frames. Martin finished with three hits (3-for-4), two doubles and 3 RBIs. Rhoades had two hits, including a double, and Cano had a double. Alex Seguine and Zach Henry each stole a base.
