Errors Spoil Wicklander, Kopps' Eight-Strikeout Efforts
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Strong outings from Patrick Wicklander and Kevin Kopps fell by the wayside as Arkansas, undone by one too many defensive lapses, dropped a 2-1 decision to Auburn on Thursday night at Baum-Walker Stadium.
The loss snaps the Razorbacks’ eight-game win streak, moving Arkansas to 20-4 overall on the year and 5-2 in SEC play.
Wicklander impressed in his second consecutive start, striking out the Auburn side in the top of the first to begin his outing. The left-hander ultimately went six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits and a walk while striking out eight.
A solo home run in the third was the only true damage against Wicklander before one of Arkansas’ three errors on the night proved costly. The Tigers took advantage of the Razorbacks’ defensive lapse in the fourth inning, advancing a runner to third on a misthrow.
The Auburn base runner would eventually score on a sacrifice fly to left as the unearned run against Wicklander extended the Hogs’ deficit to two.
Braydon Webb got one back for Arkansas in the bottom half of the frame, launching his third homer of the year over the wall in the left. The outfielder’s blast, Arkansas’ nation-leading 46th home run this season, brought the Razorbacks within one.
It was ultimately all the Hogs would score as they were unable to get it going against Auburn starter Cody Greenhill and the bullpen. Arkansas mustered four hits on the night, including two by Cayden Wallace, who extended his hitting streak to eight consecutive games.
Kopps finished off the final three innings of the ballgame, taking over at the start of the seventh in relief of Wicklander. The right-handed reliever was filthy, striking out eight of the first nine batters he faced in his scoreless outing.
Arkansas will look to even the series against Auburn tomorrow evening. First pitch in game two is at 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network+.
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