Diamond Hogs rally to sweep doubleheader against Illinois-Chicago

After an offensive onslaught to start the day, the Arkansas baseball team fell into a lull before a four-run eighth inning propelled it to a 5-4 victory over the Illinois-Chicago Flames in the second half of Thursday’s doubleheader at Baum-Walker Stadium.

The Razorbacks posted double-digit runs in the opener for the second time in as many games, beating the Flames 12-4. Senior right-handed pitcher Connor Noland earned his second quality start of the season, going 6 2/3 innings. giving up four hits and three earned runs, walking two batters and striking out 11.

While the Greenwood native kept things under control on the mound, left-hander Nate Peterson did the same for Illinois-Chicago through five innings. Arkansas sophomore third baseman Cayden Wallace led off with a single and scored on an RBI knock by graduate right fielder Chris Lanzilli but after taking the lead, Peterson sat down the next 13 Razorbacks in order.

Robert Moore (Arkansas Communications)

The dam broke in the sixth inning, though, as the Hogs hung six runs on the Flames. Graduate catcher Michael Turner drove in two runs with a single, senior designated hitter Brady Slavens brought home a pair with a double and senior shortstop Jalen Battles capped the frame off with a two-run homer to left field.

Illinois-Chicago chased Noland after three doubles and three runs in the seventh, but senior lefty Evan Taylor came on to put a halt to the rally.

Turner stretched the Arkansas lead to five runs in the bottom of the seventh with another RBI single to center, and the Hogs exploded again in the eighth. Slavens led off with a solo shot to right, and Wallace hit a three-run bomb to left with two outs to make it a nine-run game.

Jalen Battles (Arkansas Communications)

Taylor issued a pair of walks, one of which scored, to begin the ninth, but the Razorbacks were comfortably in front and secured the series opener.

The second game began poorly for the Hogs, as they only mustered two hits through seven innings, but the bats woke up at the right time. They collected four hits and four runs in the eighth, going from three behind to one ahead. Senior center fielder Zack Gregory drove in the first run of the inning with a double, Battles scored the second on a wild pitch, freshman first baseman Peyton Stovall tied the game with and RBI single, his second of the contest, and Turner gave Arkansas the lead with an RBI knock of his own.

Freshman right-handed pitcher Brady Tygart earned the win for the Razorbacks, tossing 1 1/3 scoreless frames to finish the game.

If Friday’s inclement weather does not render the field unplayable, Arkansas and Illinois-Chicago will return to action at 2 p.m. Saturday. Freshman left-handed pitcher Hagen Smith is expected to start for the Hogs, and the game will stream live on the SEC Network+.