Little Rock Trojans Baseball Makes History with Record-Breaking Win, Fueled by Hometown Hero Angel Cano
BATON ROUGE, LA – In a game echoing with historic significance, the Little Rock Trojans secured their first-ever NCAA Regional win on Saturday, defeating Rhode Island 22-10 in a thrilling elimination game at the Baton Rouge regional. the victory wasn’t just a milestone for the program; it was a moment celebrated across continents, particularly in the hometown of Trojans’ slugger Angel Cano.Cano, a junior whose journey to this point has been marked by resilience, delivered a game-changing three-run homer in the seventh inning, extending Little Rock’s lead to 15-8 and effectively sealing the win. But his impact extended far beyond the box score. Cano finished the day a remarkable 4-for-6 with 7 RBI, captivating fans and earning him a spotlight in the post-game interview – a moment his family in Colombia witnessed with unrestrained joy.”I called them after, and they where screaming,” Cano shared, beaming. “They were very excited.”
From Prospect to powerhouse: Cano’s Inspiring Journey
Cano’s story is one of overcoming adversity. Once a highly-touted teenage prospect,injuries threatened to derail his baseball dreams. after commitments to kansas were impacted by further setbacks, he found a new prospect at junior college in Oklahoma. It was there that Little Rock assistant coach Matt Parker recognized his potential.
“He said, ‘Hey, I know where a power-hitting first baseman is,'” recalled Head coach Chris Curry. “We were able to get angel here. What a great student, what a great person.I’m very proud of him.”
And proud they should be. cano’s recent performance has been pivotal for the Trojans, including a crucial base knock that tied the game in a 2-1 victory over Eastern Illinois during the Ohio Valley Conference Championship. He attributes his success to a simple, yet effective, approach.
“Just sticking with the plan,” Cano explained. “it’s just every pitch is a battle. Pitch by pitch, out by out, inning by inning. We don’t want to stop. we just want to have fun, enjoy the game, and just give it all up.”
Record-breaking Offense Propels Trojans to Victory
The Trojans’ offensive explosion wasn’t solely Cano’s doing. Junior outfielder Sammy Harris, recently utilized primarily as a pinch hitter, went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, proving Curry’s hunch correct. Harris’s clutch hitting has become a hallmark of his performance, including a game-winning double against EIU in the OVC Tournament.
The team’s 22 runs shattered the previous record for most runs scored in a Regional game at Alex Box Stadium, while the combined 32 runs set a new overall Regional record. coach Curry emphasized the team’s ability to respond to every challenge.
“I think that swing [Cano’s homer] was the separator,” Curry said. “If you look at each inning,when they scored,great offense,we answered each time.”
Looking Ahead: Facing Dallas Baptist
the trojans (24-27) now face a formidable opponent in dallas Baptist (41-17), who suffered a 12-0 loss to LSU on Saturday night. The Patriots boast remarkable wins over Oklahoma (twice), TCU, and Oklahoma State, and previously defeated SIUE, another
