Razorbacks sweep doubleheader against UAPB

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Tuesday was a banner day for Arkansas pitchers, who shut out Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 14 innings to sweep a doubleheader.

The Razorbacks took the first game 15-0 and doubled down with a 6-0 victory in the nightcap.

The Hogs scored in every inning of the afternoon tilt, marking the second straight midweek game in which they accomplished that feat. Senior first baseman Brady Slavens drove in his first of nine runs on the day with an infield single, and Arkansas only ramped it up from there.

Sophomore catcher Dylan Leach stayed hot with an RBI homer in the second, and Slavens drove him in with a two-run shot to center field. Senior shortstop Jalen Battles and freshman right fielder Drake Varnado collected RBIs in the third, making UAPB pay for a pair of walks.

After RBI hits by junior left fielder Zack Gregory, Leach and Wallace, Slavens went yard again in the fourth for his second home run of the game, which capped off a seven-run frame.

Senior center fielder Braydon Webb hit a solo shot in the fifth, and Slavens scored the 15th run of the contest on a wild pitch in the sixth.

Senior right-handed pitcher Kole Ramage earned his first win of the season following his flawless three innings of work, in which he struck out five hitters.

Senior righties Elijah Trest and Issac Bracken chipped in two scoreless frames apiece, nearly no-hitting the Golden Lions. Trest erased a leadoff walk in the fourth with a double play ball, and Bracken surrendered a two-out double in the seventh.

The solid pitching only continued in the second game, with five Razorback pitchers combining for 16 strikeouts and just six baserunners allowed. Sophomore righty Will McEntire made his first appearance since before the pandemic, earning the win in three innings pitched.

Battles and Slavens accounted for five of the six RBIs in the victory, with three and two, respectively, and the other came from sophomore left fielder Jace Bohrofen, who was hit by a pitch in the third.

Arkansas will play host to LSU in a three-game set beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The opener and Saturday’s 2 p.m. finale will stream live on the SEC Network+, and Friday’s affair will be broadcast on the SEC Network at 6 p.m.