
Photo by: Brian Blalock
Trojans take series opener from Kats
5/7/2021 10:27:00 PM | Baseball
HUNTSVILLE – The Little Rock Trojans answered a 3-run inning by Sam Houston with a 2-run seventh, then held off a Bearkat rally in the ninth to escape with a 5-3 win in the series opener on Friday night at Don Sanders Stadium.
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The Trojans (19-21) led 3-0 before a 3-run sixth inning by the Bearkats (20-19) tied things up on RBI by Colton Cowser and Bryce Holmes, but Little Rock was able to push across two more in the top of the next inning on a double by Trent Williams and a single by Noah Dickerson.
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Sam Houston had a chance to tie or take the lead in the ninth when a leadoff walk to Holmes was followed by a pinch-hit double by Christian Smith to put the tying run in scoring position with nobody out; however, Trojan reliever Aaron Barkley responded to retire three of the next four hitters he faced, leaving the bases loaded and keeping the Kats off the scoreboard to close it out.
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Barkley's ninth-inning effort closed out a 3.2-inning scoreless relief effort that earned him his sixth victory of the season. It came in relief of starter Hayden Arnold who had struck out eight without a walk through 5.0 innings before running into trouble in the sixth.
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Cowser finished with a nice night, reaching three times in his five plate appearances with a double, two RBI and a pair of hits. Jack Rogers also delivered a pair of hits, including an eighth-inning triple with the two lefties accounting for four of Sam Houston's seven hits on the night.
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On the mound, Tyler Davis recorded his first five outs via strikeout and took a no-decision after 5.0 frames of work. Matt Dillard took the loss, allowing two runs on three hits in 2.0 innings of work in what was his first appearance in nearly a month.
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The Kats and Trojans will continue their weekend series on Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Don Sanders Stadium. Lefty Dominic Robinson is set to get the start for Sam Houston.
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The Trojans (19-21) led 3-0 before a 3-run sixth inning by the Bearkats (20-19) tied things up on RBI by Colton Cowser and Bryce Holmes, but Little Rock was able to push across two more in the top of the next inning on a double by Trent Williams and a single by Noah Dickerson.
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Sam Houston had a chance to tie or take the lead in the ninth when a leadoff walk to Holmes was followed by a pinch-hit double by Christian Smith to put the tying run in scoring position with nobody out; however, Trojan reliever Aaron Barkley responded to retire three of the next four hitters he faced, leaving the bases loaded and keeping the Kats off the scoreboard to close it out.
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Barkley's ninth-inning effort closed out a 3.2-inning scoreless relief effort that earned him his sixth victory of the season. It came in relief of starter Hayden Arnold who had struck out eight without a walk through 5.0 innings before running into trouble in the sixth.
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Cowser finished with a nice night, reaching three times in his five plate appearances with a double, two RBI and a pair of hits. Jack Rogers also delivered a pair of hits, including an eighth-inning triple with the two lefties accounting for four of Sam Houston's seven hits on the night.
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On the mound, Tyler Davis recorded his first five outs via strikeout and took a no-decision after 5.0 frames of work. Matt Dillard took the loss, allowing two runs on three hits in 2.0 innings of work in what was his first appearance in nearly a month.
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The Kats and Trojans will continue their weekend series on Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Don Sanders Stadium. Lefty Dominic Robinson is set to get the start for Sam Houston.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Barkley, Aaron (6-3)
L: Dillard, Matt (1-4)
Batting:
2B: Figueroa, Eldrige 1 ; Williams, Tyler 1
HR: Dickerson, Noah 1
RBI: Williams, Tyler 1 ; Dickerson, Noah 3
SH: Figueroa, Eldrige 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lyons, Nathan 1 ; Figueroa, Eldrige 1 ; Williams, Tyler 1 ; Dickerson, Noah 1 ; Russ, John Michael 1
SB: Lyons, Nathan 1
CS: Rodriguez, Kenny 1

Batting:
2B: Cowser, Colton 1 ; Smith, Christian 1
3B: Rogers, Jack 1
RBI: Cowser, Colton 2 ; Holmes, Bryce 1
Base Running:
RUNS: MacKenzie, Anthony 1 ; Rogers, Jack 1 ; Loyd, Easton 1
CS: Cowser, Colton 1
HBP: Touchet, Trent 1
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