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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.