LR tops UAPB 3-2 in pitchers’ duel
Eight total pitchers stepped onto the mound Wednesday and kept both teams’ offenses in check during an in-state baseball battle.
Little Rock defeated the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 3-2 at the Torii Hunter Baseball Complex in Pine Bluff.
UAPB coach Carlos James said Little Rock pitched well, but the Golden Lions also didn’t hit well.
“I think our guys weren’t aggressive enough,” James said. “The umpire had already established his zone. He was top of the zone, and nothing low. I think we went after some pitches that were down low early in the game. Late in the game, guys didn’t make the adjustment they needed to make to what the umpire was calling to be able to put the bat on the ball.”
Little Rock (7-6) used three pitchers and held the Golden Lions to two hits. UAPB’s runs were unearned after the Trojans committed three errors in the bottom of the seventh inning.
UAPB (6-6) committed no errors but allowed four hits. The first three UAPB pitchers each gave up one run.
UAPB shortstop Jaylon Nauden said Little Rock threw a lot of strikes, and UAPB didn’t take advantage.
“I would say we just couldn’t put together good [atbats] after good [at-bats] as a group, collectively,” Nauden said. “Not taking advantage of the moments that we had, I would say. We let the pitchers get in a groove a little bit, so they had that advantage over us.”
UAPB starter Chris Bedgood (0-1) pitched the first four innings before UAPB turned to the bullpen. He exited with the Golden Lions trailing 1-0 after Little Rock second baseman Skyler Trevino hit a leadoff home run in the second.
The first three relievers each hit their first hitter with a pitch, and the first two turned into runs. Little Rock third baseman Ben Harmon scored on an RBI single by Luke Pectol in the fifth, and designated hitter Nico Baumbach scored on a passed ball in the sixth to make it 3-0.
Little Rock starter Erik McKnight gave up one hit in three innings before turning pitching duties over to Austin Stubber (3-0), who went on to earn the win. Stubber did not allow a runner until the seventh inning, when UAPB left fielder Darrius Brown beat out a throw to first after Pectol, the Little Rock shortstop, bobbled a ground ball.
Nauden followed that with a single to right field. Little Rock right fielder Ty Rhoades bobbled the ball, allowing Brown to score. Nauden reached third base on the error, and went on to score on a passed ball.
Jacob Weatherly relieved Stubber after Nauden’s single. He walked Brant Voth but struck out Trinidad De La Garza to keep Little Rock’s lead intact.
UAPB stranded a pair of two out runners in the eighth and didn’t reach base in the ninth as the comeback came up short.
James said UAPB has high expectations for this season, so there’s room for improvement.
“A lot of times, schools like us, we can go, ‘Oh, you played Little Rock close. That’s good enough,’” James said. “That’s not good enough. That’s not who we are. I challenged them from this point on, we gotta step up and put ourselves in a better position to win ball games. If we’re pitching well like we did today, we’re supposed to score enough runs to win.”