Hogs Shut Out Trojans in Midweek Win
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Six Razorback pitchers combined to shut out in-state opponent Little Rock (19-14) and lead No. 22 Arkansas (21-13) to a 7-0 win Tuesday night at Baum-Walker Stadium. With the triumph, the Hogs improved to 7-2 in midweek games this season and 31-7 overall against in-state foes, including an 8-2 mark against Little Rock, since 1947.
Making his first start of the season on the mound, Tate McGuire opened Tuesday night’s contest with three shutout frames for Arkansas. The right-hander struck out one while working around two hits and a walk before turning the game over to the bullpen, which combined for six scoreless innings with six strikeouts to secure the Razorbacks’ midweek win.
Parker Coil (1.0 IP, 2 SO), Steele Eaves (2.0 IP), Gabe Gaeckle (1.0 IP, 1 SO), Cooper Dossett (1.0 IP, 1 SO) and Ethan McElvain (1.0 IP, 2 SO) worked together in relief of McGuire to lock down Arkansas’ fourth shutout of the campaign.
The Trojans held the Razorback offense both scoreless and hitless until the bottom of the fifth. After TJ Pompey and Reese Robinett reached safely to lead off the inning and advanced on a double steal, Ryder Helfrick stepped up to the plate with one out and delivered the go-ahead sacrifice fly to left field, giving Arkansas its first run of the night.
A five-spot in the bottom half of the sixth inning broke the game open for the Hogs. Arkansas loaded the bases with no outs for Robinett, who ripped a bases-clearing double down the right field line to extend the advantage to 4-0.
Later in the inning, Helfrick collected his second RBI of the game with a two-out double to right center and advanced to third on a fielding error in the outfield. The Razorbacks’ star catcher would score on a wild pitch to grow the lead to six.
Zack Stewart tacked on the seventh and final run in the seventh inning, cranking his sixth home run of the season and 50th of his career to left center to give Arkansas a commanding seven-run cushion. The Hogs finished with just four hits, including a pair of doubles and a home run, but capitalized on seven walks, two hit batsmen and three stolen bases.
Up next, the Razorbacks will hit the road for their second consecutive SEC weekend series away from the friendly confines of Baum-Walker Stadium. First pitch in the series opener between No. 22 Arkansas and No. 8 Alabama is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, April 10, on SEC Network+ from inside Sewell–Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
For complete coverage of Arkansas baseball, follow the Hogs on Twitter (@RazorbackBSB), Instagram (@RazorbackBSB) and Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Baseball).
