LITTLE ROCK – Little Rock held a 2-1 lead heading into the top of the ninth inning, but a three-run rally by Illinois State thwarted the Trojans' bid for an opening weekend series sweep with a 4-2 loss at Gary Hogan Field.
The loss overshadowed another strong outing at the plate from both Kobe Barnum and Miguel Soto, batting in the four and five spots for the Trojans. Both players tallied a pair of hits, including a double, with Soto generating his seventh hit and fourth RBI of the season.
The rest of the Trojan lineup managed just one hit on the afternoon against the Redbirds, coming off the bat of Garrett Scott, but were still able to take a 2-0 lead after four.