LITTLE ROCK, AR – UALR baseball (15-29, 11-14) snapped a 10-game skid with a 4-1 win over ULM (24-26, 11-15) on Saturday afternoon at Gary Hogan Field.
Saturday’s win puts the Trojans a half-game ahead of ULM for the eighth-place spot in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament with four conference games remaining.
“I can’t say enough about how proud I am of this team,” head coach Chris Curry said. “This could be the win that gets the Trojans out of a real bad slump.”
ULM put up the game’s first run in the top of the fourth inning. Kodie Tidwell singled up the middle to lead off the inning and advanced to third after a single by Danny Springer with one out. Nathan Pugh singled through the right side to score Tidwell and give ULM a 1-0 lead.
UALR jumped to a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning with two runs on four hits. The Warhawks went to the bullpen to begin the bottom frame as Keegan Curtis took over for starter Trey Setzer. Petr Sila welcomed Curtis to the game with a one out single through the right side. Ryan Scott then singled to first while Sila moved to second. Tanner Rockwell tied the game at 1-1 with an RBI single to center field as Sila crossed the plate. Kyle Kirk punched the Trojans’ fourth straight single to left as Scott came home to give UALR a 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Trojans tacked on some insurance runs. Jason Prevatt singled to right before moving over to second on a bunt single by Hayden Martin. The Trojans attempted the sacrifice bunt with Mitchell Scheuler at the plate, but the Warhawks beat Prevatt to third for the force out. After the fielder’s choice, ULM went to the bullpen for the third time. The Trojans once again went for the sacrifice bunt, but instead got a single as Sila beat the throw to first with a head-first slide. With bases loaded, Scott drew a seven-pitch walk to bring in Martin for the Trojans’ third run of the game. After walking home the run, ULM went to the bullpen for the final time. Rockwell greeted the new pitcher with a deep sacrifice fly to center field as Scheuler trotted home to give UALR a 4-1 lead.
With a three-run lead to begin the ninth inning, Rockwell came on for starter Cory Malcom, who pitched eight innings, struck out six and only gave up a run on six hits with 118 pitches. Rockwell got the first Warhawk to fly out before registering a strikeout for the second out. With a 2-2 count, Rockwell made Springer ground out to third to give UALR the three-run win.
“You have to tip your hat to Cory Malcom, who did well against a very good hitting team,” Curry said. “That’s why we throw him on Saturdays.”
Rockwell ended the game 1 for 3 with two RBIs and earned his ninth-career save. Rockwell continues to lead the Trojans with multiple RBI games as Saturday’s game was his 10th of the year.
Sila, Scott and Kirk each finished the game with two hits. For Scott and Kirk, Saturday’s game was their 17th of the season with multiple hits. All but one of UALR’s starters finished the game with a hit.
“I’m excited for these guys right now,” Curry said. “You don’t understand how bad they’ve been hurting to win. It’s just a fun, fun day.”
The Trojans will try for the series win over ULM at Gary Hogan Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. UALR will begin its Senior Day presentation at 12:30 p.m. as it honors nine Trojan seniors.
(Courtesy: UALR Sports Information)
Saturday’s win puts the Trojans a half-game ahead of ULM for the eighth-place spot in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament with four conference games remaining.
“I can’t say enough about how proud I am of this team,” head coach Chris Curry said. “This could be the win that gets the Trojans out of a real bad slump.”
ULM put up the game’s first run in the top of the fourth inning. Kodie Tidwell singled up the middle to lead off the inning and advanced to third after a single by Danny Springer with one out. Nathan Pugh singled through the right side to score Tidwell and give ULM a 1-0 lead.
UALR jumped to a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning with two runs on four hits. The Warhawks went to the bullpen to begin the bottom frame as Keegan Curtis took over for starter Trey Setzer. Petr Sila welcomed Curtis to the game with a one out single through the right side. Ryan Scott then singled to first while Sila moved to second. Tanner Rockwell tied the game at 1-1 with an RBI single to center field as Sila crossed the plate. Kyle Kirk punched the Trojans’ fourth straight single to left as Scott came home to give UALR a 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Trojans tacked on some insurance runs. Jason Prevatt singled to right before moving over to second on a bunt single by Hayden Martin. The Trojans attempted the sacrifice bunt with Mitchell Scheuler at the plate, but the Warhawks beat Prevatt to third for the force out. After the fielder’s choice, ULM went to the bullpen for the third time. The Trojans once again went for the sacrifice bunt, but instead got a single as Sila beat the throw to first with a head-first slide. With bases loaded, Scott drew a seven-pitch walk to bring in Martin for the Trojans’ third run of the game. After walking home the run, ULM went to the bullpen for the final time. Rockwell greeted the new pitcher with a deep sacrifice fly to center field as Scheuler trotted home to give UALR a 4-1 lead.
With a three-run lead to begin the ninth inning, Rockwell came on for starter Cory Malcom, who pitched eight innings, struck out six and only gave up a run on six hits with 118 pitches. Rockwell got the first Warhawk to fly out before registering a strikeout for the second out. With a 2-2 count, Rockwell made Springer ground out to third to give UALR the three-run win.
“You have to tip your hat to Cory Malcom, who did well against a very good hitting team,” Curry said. “That’s why we throw him on Saturdays.”
Rockwell ended the game 1 for 3 with two RBIs and earned his ninth-career save. Rockwell continues to lead the Trojans with multiple RBI games as Saturday’s game was his 10th of the year.
Sila, Scott and Kirk each finished the game with two hits. For Scott and Kirk, Saturday’s game was their 17th of the season with multiple hits. All but one of UALR’s starters finished the game with a hit.
“I’m excited for these guys right now,” Curry said. “You don’t understand how bad they’ve been hurting to win. It’s just a fun, fun day.”
The Trojans will try for the series win over ULM at Gary Hogan Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. UALR will begin its Senior Day presentation at 12:30 p.m. as it honors nine Trojan seniors.
(Courtesy: UALR Sports Information)