#2 Arkansas Outslugged by Missouri State in Extras

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Second-ranked Arkansas (23-2) saw its 18-game midweek winning streak come to an end in a 14-13 shootout loss in 10 innings against regional rival Missouri State (11-12) Tuesday night at Baum-Walker Stadium.

The Razorback offense continued its tear with 13 runs on a season high-tying 16 hits, including five doubles as well as a grand slam by Gabe Fraser, but the pitching staff could not slow the Bears, who overcame a five-run deficit in the ninth.

Led by Charles Davalan and Fraser’s multi-hit performances, five Hogs tallied multiple hits Tuesday night. Davalan, who finished 3-for-6 with a double, raised his season slash line to team-leading .413/.500/.654 in 26 games, while Fraser went 2-for-4 with a game-high four RBI thanks to his fourth-inning grand slam, the first home run of his collegiate career.

Logan Maxwell (2-for-4), Cam Kozeal (2-for-4) and Nolan Souza (3-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI) also chipped in with multi-hit games. Zane Becker (1-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI) and Carson Boles (1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI), meanwhile, each logged multiple RBI efforts in Tuesday night’s setback, helping the Razorbacks score double-digit runs for the fifth consecutive game despite the loss.

Arkansas maintained a 13-8 advantage entering the top of the ninth but was unable to protect its lead, as Missouri State batted around and scored five runs on five hits, a walk and an error to even the game at 13 apiece. After the Razorbacks went down in order in the bottom half of the ninth, Bear second baseman Nick Rodriguez, who finished with a game-high five hits, swatted his second home run of the evening to lead off the top of the 10th and put his team ahead, 14-13.

Justin Thomas Jr. drew a leadoff walk in the bottom half of the inning but was stranded at first, sealing the Hogs’ defeat in extras. Arkansas finished 10-for-28 (.357) with runners on base and 8-for-17 (4.17) with runners in scoring position.

On the mound, the Razorbacks used six pitchers and struck out a season-high 19 batters in Tuesday’s extra-inning loss. Left-hander Colin Fisher started and struck out a career high-tying six over three innings of three-run ball, while true freshman left-hander Cole Gibler struck out a career-high seven consecutively over his career-long 2.1 innings of work.

Up next, Arkansas hits the road for Nashville, Tenn., to take on No. 14 Vanderbilt in its third SEC weekend series of the season. First pitch between the Razorbacks and Commodores is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, March 28, on SEC Network.

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