Little Rock secured an 11-1 victory over Eastern Illinois on Apr. 19, completing a series sweep at Gary Hogan Field in Ohio Valley Conference play.
The win is significant as it ties Little Rock with SIUE for first place in the OVC standings. The Trojans’ strong performance included scoring in four different innings and limiting their opponent to just four hits.
Head coach Chris Curry said, “It’s great to be at home, and we knew if we could get back home things would be better. We had a great weekend … Eastern is a great club, and I have no doubt we will see them late in the tournament. The weekend changed when we had the two comebacks. We tied the game and fell behind by five yesterday, and I think that sent a message we were here to fight all weekend.”
The Trojans took an early lead in the second inning after Cade Martin drove in a run on a fielder’s choice followed by Kade Smith’s two-run single. Nico Baumbach added another run with an RBI double after Eastern Illinois scored their only run of the game on Mike O’Conor’s solo home run.
Jerdy Lopez contributed both offensively and defensively throughout the game. “I just try to get on base all the time – that is my plan,” Lopez said. “When I go to the plate, I just try to see the ball and hit it where it goes… I’ve been finding a way to get on base, even with two strikes.” Ty Rhoades extended Little Rock’s lead further with a three-run double during a decisive sixth inning.
Nic Bronzini pitched five innings for Little Rock, allowing one run on three hits before Malcolm Brown closed out with two scoreless innings and four strikeouts. Bronzini said, “The biggest thing is staying in your routine and preparation every week… There was a lot of relief and excitement for me this weekend.” Offensively, multiple players contributed: Lopez, Blake Simpson, Nolan Freund, Baumbach each recorded two hits while Rhoades led with three RBIs.
Looking ahead, Little Rock will host UT Rio Grande Valley for its only midweek series of the year before traveling to Lindenwood for another conference matchup next weekend. Curry said about upcoming games: “This is our only two-game midweek series of the year… We have another big series staring us in the face at Lindenwood, so the midweek is important, and we need to manage our bullpen.”
