Arkansas-Little Rock at Tennessee-Martin
MARTIN, Tenn. (Interstat) — Arkansas-Little Rock and Tennessee-Martin meet Sunday evening at Skyhawk Park for the rubber match of a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series. First pitch is scheduled under clear skies and 73-degree temperatures.
The Trojans (29-22 overall) evened the series with a 15-4 rout Friday before the Skyhawks (23-24) rallied for a 6-5 victory Saturday. Arkansas-Little Rock took a 5-2 lead into the sixth inning Saturday, but Tennessee-Martin answered with four runs in the bottom of the frame to secure the win.
Right-hander Brigden Parker is expected to start for the Trojans. Parker allowed one unearned run on zero hits with two strikeouts over six innings Saturday but did not factor in the decision. In his prior two outings, Parker surrendered five earned runs in four innings against Morehead State on May 2 and one earned run with five strikeouts across 4 2/3 innings at Lindenwood on April 25.
Tennessee-Martin counters with right-hander Cason Sharp, who threw a complete-game victory Saturday. Sharp scattered five hits and allowed three earned runs with four strikeouts over nine innings. The Skyhawks ace also tossed seven shutout innings in a win at Western Illinois on May 2, but was tagged for four earned runs in six innings against Eastern Illinois on April 25.
Center fielder Kade Smith provided the Trojans’ offense Saturday with a two-run homer, going 2-for-4. For Tennessee-Martin, right fielder Terence Grines went 3-for-4 with an RBI, and designated hitter Colten Payton homered and drove in two.
Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-5 Arkansas-Little Rock victory.
The Trojans return home to face Southeast Missouri State on Thursday. The Skyhawks visit Mississippi on Tuesday before a three-game set at SIU Edwardsville beginning Thursday.