Arkansas Clipped in Extras by Missouri State

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – No. 17 Arkansas (19-11) was walked off in extras by Missouri State (18-9) in a back-and-forth affair that featured nine lead changes and eight combined homers Tuesday night at Hammons Field, losing 15-14 in 10 innings.

With the loss, the Hogs dropped to 6-2 in midweek games this season. Arkansas previously defeated Tarleton State on Feb. 16 at Globe Life Field, split a double midweek series against in-state foe Arkansas State on Feb. 24-25, took down Oral Roberts on March 3, swept its double midweek series against Northern Colorado on March 17-18 and picked up its second win of the season over an in-state opponent with a win against UCA on March 24 before Tuesday night’s setback.

Four Razorbacks, including Camden Kozeal (4-for-5, 2B, HR, 5 RBI), Zack Stewart (2-for-5, 2B, RBI), Nolan Souza (3-for-5, HR, 3 RBI) and Christian Turner (3-for-5, HR, 3 RBI), recorded multi-hit games in the loss. Arkansas also blasted four home runs, including Ryder Helfrick’s solo shot, his team-leading ninth of the season, and Souza’s three-run homer in the third inning, Turner’s three-run home run, the first of his collegiate career, in the top of the fifth inning and Kozeal’s grand slam, his eighth homer of the season, in the top of the seventh inning, but could not slow Missouri State’s offense.

The Bears tagged the Razorback pitching staff for 14 runs on 12 hits, including four doubles and four home runs, Tuesday night. Missouri State scored six in second, three in the fourth, three in the sixth and tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning before walking Arkansas off with a leadoff home run in the 10th to seal its midweek win.

In relief of starter Steele Eaves (1.0 IP, 4 R, 2 SO), right-hander Jackson Kircher twirled 1.1 scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Parker Coil emerged from the bullpen and tossed 2.2 innings of three-run ball (zero earned) with three strikeouts, while Cooper Dossett turned in 2.1 innings of two-run ball with a career high-tying four strikeouts.

Up next, Arkansas heads to Auburn, Ala., for an SEC weekend series against No. 18 Auburn (20-8, 4-5 SEC). First pitch between the Razorbacks, who are 4-5 in conference play, and Tigers is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, April 2, on ESPN2.

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