Hogs Fall to SEMO, 12-11
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas baseball team came up on the short end of a back and forward affair at Baum Stadium Wednesday evening, falling 12-11 to Southeast Missouri State to split the two-game midweek series.
In a wild game that saw 16 walks, 23 runs, 26 hits and lasted nearly four and a half hours, Arkansas came up on the short end after a pair of Southeast Missouri runs in the eighth inning sealed the deal.
Arkansas answered back with a run in its half of the eighth inning and nearly tied the game in the ninth inning when Joe Serrano lifted a fly ball that was hauled in at the fence, but the Redhawks managed to earn the series split with the victory.
Bobby Wernes continued his incredible defensive play at third base in the first inning, ranging to his right and fielding the ball as his momentum carried him three steps into foul territory. He then leaped into the air and fired a strike to first base for the second out of the game.
Rick Nomura provided his second career three-hit performance, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Michael Bernal added two hits, including a home run and two runs batted in. Clark Eagan and Alex Gosser recorded two hits apiece in the loss.
Six Arkansas pitchers took the hill with Jackson Lowery getting the start and lasting 3.1 innings. Lance Phillips (0-1) was the tough luck loser, allowing two unearned runs in the eighth inning, while Jacob Stone came on to work a scoreless inning for the second straight day.
The Razorbacks continue their stretch of five games in five days on Thursday, welcoming No. 1 LSU to town for a three-game SEC series at Baum Stadium. Thursday and Friday’s game will be televised nationally on SEC Network, while Saturday’s series finale will be broadcasted on SEC Network Plus.
Arkansas Head Coach Dave Van Horn opening statement: “It’s kind of a tough situation with the way our schedule worked out this year with having five games in a row and having to play again tomorrow night against a great team in league play. Playing a good offensive team in Southeast Missouri put us in a bind as far as who we could pitch.”
Van Horn on playing a four-hour game before the LSU series: “We mixed it up a little bit with the catching. That’s usually where you run into a bind—when you’re catching the same guys and their legs get a little tired and they don’t have enough time to recover. I just think this team needs to play.”
Van Horn on senior RHP Jacob Stone: “I thought he did good. We thought we’d get him out there one inning no matter what tonight just to keep him rolling a little bit. He only threw eight pitches last night and tonight he threw 15. That’s just about right. He’s getting it back so hopefully it’ll carry over.”
