Box Score MACOMB, Ill. – Little Rock rallied from an early deficit and briefly pulled even in the late innings, but Western Illinois responded in the seventh to secure an 8-5 decision Sunday afternoon.
Little Rock moves to 19-13, overall, and 7-2 in the OVC, while Western Illinois improves to 8-22 and 4-6. The Trojans are tied for second with SIUE while Eastern Illinois sits in first at 8-1.
The Trojans struck first in the opening inning as Nolan Freund delivered an RBI single to center field, scoring Jerdy Lopez for a 1-0 lead. Western Illinois answered with three runs in the bottom of the first and added two more in the second to build a 5-1 advantage.
Little Rock stayed within striking distance before delivering its biggest swing of the day in the seventh. Blake Simpson turned the game with one swing, launching a grand slam to right field that scored Jack Bilski, Ryan Geck and Jake McClure and tied the game at 5-5. Simpson finished 2-for-4 with four RBI, accounting for the Trojans' biggest offensive moment of the afternoon and his first home run of the season.
Western Illinois answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning, stringing together a pair of key hits to plate three runs and regain control at 8-5.
Kade Smith added a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-4, while Freund contributed a hit and RBI. Bilski and McClure each scored during the seventh-inning rally, and Smith also swiped a pair of bases.
On the mound, Isaac Evaniew provided a strong effort out of the bullpen, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings while striking out six and allowing just two hits to keep Little Rock within reach.
The Trojans travel to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas at 6 p.m., Tuesday before moving back into OVC play next Friday at SIUE.
