Helfrick’s late homer delivers win over Auburn without Van Horn

AUBURN, Ala. — It was Ryder Helfrick’s turn this time. Arkansas got a 6-5 win here over Auburn on Friday night and even without coach Dave Van Horn, someone stepped up when it was needed the most.

Van Horn missed the game for a personal matter, according to a press release before the game. In a press conference after a 1-0 win Thursday night, Van Horn said his daughter was in the window to deliver triplets.

Pitching coach Matt Hobbs was the manager Friday night and he was juggling pitchers after starter Brady Tygart got behind 3-0 and then it turned into a race that even included the home plate umpire Jeff Wright getting a fastball in the face mask area that knocked him down in the eighth inning and he was taken out as a precaution. It took over a half-hour to find the equipment for somebody else to take over.

After a scoreless tie going into the ninth inning, Helfrick came in as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning after Parker Rowland was lifted for a pinch-hitter. He had a .105 in 19 at-bats and hadn’t gotten a hit since the Grambling State game.

This time, he took a 90-miles an hour fastball 405 feet over the tall green wall in left field and provided the one-run margin for the Hogs’ 15th straight win. It was his second homer of the year.

The Hogs overcame Auburn leads in the first, third and sixth innings. Relief pitcher Will McEntire closed out the game in the ninth with a pair of strikeouts and a routine ground out.

It might not have been possible except the Tigers couldn’t manage to get people across home plate, despite leaving a small village on the bases during the game.

Tygart struggled with command and lasted only 3 2/3 innings. Tygart allowed 3 runs, 3 hits and 5 walks, and struck out 4.

Auburn starter Chase Allsup allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 5 hits and 1 walk with 5 strikeouts in 6 innings. Armstrong took the loss after he allowed 2 runs (1 earned) in 2 1/3 innings.

The Razorbacks will go for the second straight sweep in their second SEC series of the year Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. It will be available to see on ESPN+. You can also listen to the game on ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.