10 Jun 2026 Trojans’ Historic Season Ends in Super Regional

TROY, Alabama — Little Rock’s historic postseason run came to an end Saturday afternoon as Troy defeated the Trojans 7-2 in Game 2 of the NCAA Super Regional at Riddle-Pace Field.

While the season ended one step short of Omaha, the 2026 Trojans cemented their place as the most accomplished team in school history. Little Rock finished 39-27, set a program record for victories, won its second consecutive Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship, captured the Hattiesburg Regional and became the first team in school history to reach a Super Regional.

“Could not be prouder of our program,” Little Rock head coach Chris Curry said. “I sat up here a year ago and said that we were not a fluke or a one-year wonder in a regional and that we would be back. Not only were we back, but we won a regional championship, set a program record for wins and had all kinds of accomplishments. I couldn’t be prouder of these guys and how they took this program and showed that Little Rock baseball is here to stay.”

Troy (38-30) built an early lead and never allowed Little Rock to gain much offensive momentum. The Trojans from Alabama scored two runs in the first inning, added single runs in the second and third and carried a 4-1 advantage into the middle innings.

Little Rock trimmed the deficit to 4-1 in the fourth when Ty Rhoades’ fielder’s choice scored a run.

The Trojans threatened again in the eighth when Jerdy Lopez launched a solo homer to right-center field, cutting the margin to 5-2.  Little Rock managed seven hits in the contest. Lopez finished 2-for-4 with a home run and RBI.

On the mound, Nic Bronzini got the start before turning the ball over to the bullpen. Tag Andrews, Isaac Evaniew, Brody Bunting and Gage Haley all saw action in relief as Little Rock attempted to keep the game within reach.

“We left a lot of runners on base and didn’t get the big hit,” Curry said. “The formula to championships and winning is pitching, defense and timely hitting. I thought today the pitching gave us more of a shot. A lot of that has to do with their arms. They made big pitches in the big moments.”

For Little Rock’s seniors, the disappointment of Saturday was balanced by the pride of helping elevate the program to unprecedented heights.

“It was very special,” senior DH Nico Baumbach said. “I was here for two years before and we didn’t get that opportunity. To make history for the program is truly an honor. We had good ball clubs before, but we never got over that hump. When we made a regional last year, it became an expectation. Why not make a Super Regional? Everyone had that hunger from the start in August.”

Evaniew echoed that sentiment after helping guide the Trojans through one of the most memorable postseasons in school history.

“It’s the reason I came here,” Evaniew said. “I wanted to compete in big games. We had our backs against the wall in the OVC Tournament and fought our way out. We jumped out to a lead in the regional and just kept going. We ran into another good team because they’re all good at this point of the year, but I’m still proud of the boys and how we competed and how far we made it.”

Curry reminded his team afterward not to let the sting of defeat overshadow what they accomplished.

“I told them it hurts right now, but don’t you dare hold your head down,” Curry said. “Stick your chest out and be proud of what you did. You’ll tell your grandkids about it. Thank you for being the best team that’s ever played at Little Rock. Thank you for allowing me to coach you.”

The veteran coach believes the experience of reaching a Super Regional will only strengthen the foundation that has been built over the last two seasons.

“It makes it an expectation,” Curry said. “We know exactly how to get here. We’ve shown that back-to-back years. We didn’t just get hot. We understand postseason play. We have examples now for our returning players and examples for players that aren’t here yet. Little Rock baseball belongs on this stage.”

The Trojans leave Troy with a program-record 39 victories, consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in school history, back-to-back OVC Tournament championships and the deepest postseason run ever by a Little Rock baseball team.

“We’ll be back,” Curry said. “And we’ll be playing longer next year.”