Hancock Handcuffs Hooks

Box Score

NORTH LITTLE ROCK - Emerson Hancock delivered a strong start for the Travelers Saturday night as Arkansas upended Corpus Christi, 4-3, before 6,656 fans at Dickey-Stephens Park.

The Hooks will need to take Sunday's finale to force a split of the six-game series.

Corpus Christi grabbed a 2-1 lead in the third thanks to consecutive two-out hits as Kenedy Corona's second Double-A triple was sandwiched between singles by Drew Gilbert and Joey Loperfido.

Chad Steven's solo blast in the seventh snapped a string of 12 consecutive outs by Hancock, who struck out eight without issuing a walk over a season-best seven innings pitched.

Stevens has hit four of his six home runs in 14 games this month.

Arkansas remained in front after sending eight men to bat in the third against Adrian Chaidez. The Travs first three runs came courtesy of three singles, three walks, two hit batsmen and two wild pitches.

Blair Henley pitched well in relief for the Hooks, holding Arkansas to one unearned run over the final four innings. Jacob DeLabio pitched in a 1-2-3 fourth.