LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – After spending most of Sunday afternoon fighting from behind, Little Rock saved its biggest swing for the biggest moment.
The Trojans erupted for eight runs in the seventh inning and stormed back from a five-run deficit to defeat Eastern Illinois 10-6 in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship game Sunday at Mtn Dew Park.

Little Rock (36-26) claimed the tournament title and secured the program's NCAA Tournament berth after another unforgettable postseason run that included six wins in five days and seven games overall in Marion. Last year, the Trojans had to win five games in four days to secure the OVC title. It marks the first time in school history that teams have secured back-to-back regional berths. 

 "Back-to-back regional champions, it's hard to do," Little Rock head coach Chris Curry said. "Last year I think it was five wins in four days, and this year it's six wins in five days. We had to play seven games. If you don't know anything about Little Rock baseball, it's going to be a dogfight. We're not going to give up."

Redshirt-freshman reliever Tag Andrews was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after earning the win Sunday with 1.2 innings of relief work. Andrews was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Nico Baumbach, Jerdy Lopez, Blake Simpson, Brody Bunting and Cooper Chaplain.

Sunday's victory was extra special as it also marked the 300th win of Curry's tenure at Little Rock.

"I never threw a pitch or hit a ball," said Curry, who became the school's all-time winningest coach earlier this spring. "This is because I've had a lot of great players, great assistants and families that believed in us. It takes a team to win a game, but it takes an administration to win a championship.

Eastern Illinois (33-21), who was 0-5 against Little Rock this season, appeared in control for much of the afternoon, building a 6-1 lead through six innings behind timely hitting and aggressive baserunning.

But the Trojans once again showed the resilience that defined their postseason push.

"We were down 6-1, and there was no panic," Curry said. "We try to recruit players and train players not to be emotional or reactionary. Focus on having a good at-bat, not playing the scoreboard. One and 0 was all we were ever trying to be."

Senior catcher Trey Hill said the confidence inside the dugout never faded despite the deficit.

"I don't think there was ever a doubt in anybody's mind in that dugout that we were going to lose that game," Hill said. "This team is just so tough, and I think we earned every bit of this."

Little Rock sent 13 batters to the plate during its decisive seventh inning and turned a 6-1 deficit into a 9-6 lead.

Chaplain started the rally with a two-run double down the left field line that scored Ty Rhoades and Hill, who had doubled. Blake Simpson followed with a two-run single up the middle to cut the deficit to one.

Moments later, Baumbach delivered the biggest hit of the game, lining a two-run single into left-center to give Little Rock its first lead at 7-6. Rhoades later added an RBI ground-rule double before Hill capped the inning with a sacrifice fly.

"We've come back the past two games to win, and there was never a doubt that we wouldn't come back from this one either," Hill said. "I think everybody on this field gave all of their heart."

The Trojans added an insurance run in the ninth when Angel Cano scored on a wild pitch.

Little Rock finished with 13 hits, including three from Simpson and two each from Baumbach, Rhoades, Hill and Nolan Freund.

The bullpen combination of Andrews and Isaac Evaniew helped shut the door after Eastern Illinois had built momentum early. Evaniew tossed three scoreless innings to earn his second save of the season.

"What a job by our pitching staff," Curry said. "I said in August this team had what it takes to make a deep run in the tournament. Last year we had to hit. This year, we pitch. Bronzini taking the ball on short rest, Gage Haley running on fumes, Tag Andrews running on fumes, and then Isaac Evaniew shutting the door. Trey Hill caught every inning down the stretch. Just so many heroes."

Hill praised the effort of the pitching staff after the Trojans were forced to navigate a grueling week through the loser's bracket.

"Props to the pitchers for keeping it close," Hill said. "They're running on fumes out there. Tag Andrews has been out there every day we've been here and he's giving everything he has."

Eastern Illinois grabbed the early lead on Chris Worcester's solo home run in the first inning and extended the advantage to 6-1 through six innings behind RBI hits from Quade Peters, Mike O'Conor and Tyler Castro.

Curry said the experience of last season's postseason run helped steady the Trojans when adversity hit again this year.

"There was a noticeable calm," Curry said. "Half these guys did it last year. Our staff stayed calm and kept sending the right message — just keep playing, don't get in your feelings. That experience mattered."

OVC All-Tournament Team
Nico Baumbach, Little Rock
Tag Andrews, Little Rock
Jerdy Lopez, Little Rock
Blake Simpson, Little Rock
Brody Bunting, Little Rock
Cooper Chaplain, Little Rock
Mike O'Conor, Eastern Illinois
Quade Peters, Eastern Illinois
Anthony Solis, Eastern Illinois
Bryce Riggs, Eastern Illinois
Parker Martin, Southern Indiana
Mason Pennington, Southeast Missouri
Jake Radosevich, LindenwoodTournament

MVP
Tag Andrews, Little Rock