Little Rock lost 6-2 to SIUE on Apr. 11 in the second game of their baseball series at Simmons Baseball Complex, despite a late effort at the plate.
The loss puts the Trojans at a record of 20-15 overall and 8-3 in Ohio Valley Conference play. The team managed five hits, scoring both runs in the eighth inning after SIUE had already built a significant lead.
“We had our chances early with the bases loaded but hit into a double play – one of three double plays on the day,” Little Rock head coach Chris Curry said. “We had two opportunities early and couldn’t cash in and let a good starting pitcher settle in, to his credit, and he held us scoreless through seven innings. We showed some fight getting a couple of runs late, but we needed to do that much earlier.”
Nolan Freund led Little Rock’s offense by going two-for-four with two runs batted in during the eighth inning. Easton Roe contributed another hit for the Trojans, who also drew three walks but struggled to maintain pressure throughout most of the game.
Pitcher Brigden Parker worked through seven and two-thirds innings for Little Rock, striking out seven batters. “Brigden Parker gave us more than enough opportunity to win the ballgame,” Curry said. “He pitched well.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s deciding game, Curry said: “I absolutely thought this was going to be a tough series, and that is what it is shaping up to be – a big-league fight tomorrow on championship Sunday. The good news is we are in good shape with our pitching. I am really excited to see [Nic Bronzini] get his first conference start. He will bring some juice and energy, and you will see some other guys in the lineup that will get us going as well.” The final game of the series is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m.
