It didn’t take long for things to go the wrong way for Arkansas on Tuesday afternoon.
Arkansas State came into Baum-Walker Stadium and left with a 12-4 win over the Razorbacks in the first game of a midweek two-game set.
The Red Wolves used power at the plate and a big early inning to take control.
The damage came fast. Arkansas State scored six runs in the top of the second inning. The rally included a grand slam that broke the game open and quieted the home crowd.
By the time the inning ended, the Hogs were chasing the game. They never fully recovered.
The loss marked the first time in program history that the Razorbacks have fallen to Arkansas State.
Both teams showed power. There were seven total home runs in the game. The Red Wolves hit five of them. Arkansas managed two.
The afternoon started with some promise for the home side. Maika Niu led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run. It was his second of the season and gave Arkansas an early spark.
But that spark didn’t last long.
Early inning turns game around
The six-run second inning defined the day. Arkansas State stacked hits together and capped the frame with a grand slam.
That swing created a wide gap on the scoreboard.
True freshman Peyton Lee got the start on the mound for Arkansas. He worked two innings and allowed six runs while striking out two.
After Lee exited, the Hogs went to the bullpen.
Tate McGuire threw two innings and gave up two runs. Cooper Dossett followed and allowed three runs in one inning of work.
Luke Cornelison added two innings and surrendered one run.
The Red Wolves kept adding on, finishing with 12 runs on the day. Their five home runs accounted for a big share of that total.
While the pitching staff had a tough afternoon overall, there was one bright spot late.
Ethan McElvain pitched the final two innings and did not allow a run. He struck out two and helped steady things before the final out.
Offense shows fight late
Even while trailing, the Razorbacks kept competing at the plate.
Niu finished 2-for-4. His leadoff homer in the first inning gave the home crowd something to cheer about early.
Zack Stewart also turned in a 2-for-4 performance. In the fourth inning, he hit a solo home run. It was his second of the season and the 46th of his career.
Those swings accounted for the two Arkansas home runs in the game.
Still, the Hogs couldn’t string together enough hits to climb back into the contest.
Arkansas State’s pitchers limited big innings after the early lead was built.
For Arkansas, it was a reminder of how quickly a game can shift with one big inning and a few key swings.
The Razorbacks will have a chance to respond quickly.
The two teams are set to wrap up the midweek series Wednesday at Baum-Walker Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m., and the game will stream on SEC Network+.
Brett Dolan will handle play-by-play duties, with Troy Eklund serving as analyst on the broadcast.
Fans can also listen to Phil Elson and Bubba Carpenter on the Razorback Sports Network online at HitThatLine.com in select broadcast markets and on the radio at ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
Arkansas will look to clean up the mound work and find more timely hitting as it aims to split the two-game set.
