Razorbacks Drop 3-2 Decision to Even Series

AUBURN, Ala. – The University of Arkansas baseball team (15-15, 4-7) rallied to tie the game in the seventh inning, but Auburn (19-12, 4-7) came back in the ninth inning and benefited from a walk-off hit batter to even the series with a 3-2 victory Saturday evening at Plainsman Park.

With the game tied 2-2 heading to the bottom of the ninth inning, Auburn used a one-out single off Lance Phillips, before a throwing error, walk and back-to-back hit by pitches from Jacob Stone gave the Tigers a 3-2 victory to even the series.

Arkansas faced a pair of deficits in the game and rallied both times to even the score. Michael Bernal drove in the first run for the Razorbacks with a groundout to shortstop in the fifth frame, before Chad Spanberger delivered a RBI double to the gap in right center in the seventh inning to plate Andrew Benintendi and make it 2-2.

Dominic Taccolini tossed a gem in his eighth start of the season, lasting 7.0 innings and giving up just one earned run on five hits, while striking out three. Lance Phillips (0-3) was tagged with the loss after giving up the single in the ninth inning that came around to score the winning run.

Benintendi and Bobby Wernes tallied two hits apiece, while Wernes also reached base four teams after receiving a pair of intentional walks.

Arkansas and Auburn will play the rubber game of the weekend series Sunday afternoon with first pitch set for 1:05 p.m. at Plainsman Park.

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