Hogs finish off sweep of McNeese State, 18-5

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Powered by Ben McLaughlin’s four hit-day and Ross Lovich’s four-RBI game, No. 2 Arkansas (13-2) completed its weekend sweep of McNeese (8-8) with an 18-5 run-rule on Sunday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium.

The Razorbacks, winners of 30 consecutive non-conference home weekend series, picked up their second series sweep in as many weekends after taking all three games against Murray State at Baum-Walker Stadium one week ago.

Arkansas posted crooked numbers in the third, fifth and sixth innings to power its way to its fifth run-rule win of the season. Two-out RBI singles from Peyton Stovall (2-for-5, 2 RBI), Wehiwa Aloy (1-for-4, 1 RBI) and McLaughlin (4-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI) in the bottom half of the third helped the Hogs jump out to an early four-run lead.

Starter Mason Molina worked three scoreless innings before McNeese broke through with a run in the fourth and four more in the fifth to take a 5-4 lead, their first of the weekend series. Molina, the junior left-hander, departed the game in the fifth, finishing his afternoon with four strikeouts but four runs allowed on three hits and three walks.

The Cowboys’ one-run lead would not last long, however, as the Razorbacks answered with six runs of their own in the bottom of the fifth to retake control of the game. Ty Wilmsmeyer (2-for-3, 2 RBI) put Arkansas back in front with his two-RBI single before Lovich (1-for-4, 4 RBI) blasted a three-run homer, his first as a Hog, to extend the lead to 10-5.

Arkansas added eight more runs in the bottom of the sixth, capitalizing on five walks, four hits and one hit-by-pitch to put the game away for good. With the 10-run rule in effect, right-handers Gage Wood and Dylan Carter combined to work a scoreless top half of the seventh and secure the Razorbacks’ series-sweeping 18-5 win.

Wood, who was credited with the win to improve to 2-0 on the year, struck out three over 2.1 innings of one-run ball in relief. Carter, meanwhile, made his season debut in his return from Tommy John surgery, retiring both batters he faced.

The Razorbacks, now riding a nine-game winning streak, return to action Tuesday, March 12, for their final tune-up before SEC plays begins this weekend. Arkansas will host longtime adversary Oral Roberts in the first night game this season at Baum-Walker Stadium, with first pitch between the Hogs and Golden Eagles set for 6 p.m. on ESPN+.

Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.