LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Appalachian State University baseball took an early 2-0 lead right out of the gates but was unable to hang on as Little Rock scored four runs in the sixth and two runs in the seventh, getting the 6-2 win on Friday night at Hogan Field.
The Mountaineers (10-16, 1-6 Sun Belt) held the Trojans (10-16, 3-4 Sun Belt) to 5.2 scoreless innings to begin the game, but a grand slam in the sixth overcame a quick start by the Apps.
Shooting right out from the get-go, Appalachian used back-to-back singles by its first two batters, Calev Grubbs and Jason Curtis, to get into scoring position. Then, in a wild sequence, a strikeout/wild pitch brought Grubbs home all the way from second and put Curtis on third.
Tyler Stroup then capitalized on the runner on deep scoring position by getting a groundout RBI, pulling Curtis home to go up 2-0 early.
Despite low scoring, the Black and Gold were able to record six hits on the night. Curtis led all with a 2-4 outing and one run, while four other Diamond Apps recorded one-hit nights.
Stroup finished 1-4 with the RBI, while Grubbs and Drake Zupcic went 1-3 on the night and both drew walks. Avery Jackson also finished with a single, going 1-2 in the designated hitter spot.
Travis Holden got the start for the Diamond Apps, holding Little Rock scoreless until the sixth. He finished with four strikeouts overall. Dallas DeVrieze and Sean Mason entered in relief, striking our three batters between them and only allowing four hits.
The Mountaineers return on Saturday for the conclusion of the weekend series at Little Rock in a doubleheader. The first game is slated to begin at 2 p.m. ET.
