Hogs rally to beat LSU in series opener

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Fans at Baum-Walker Stadium erupted Thursday night when Arkansas’ Robert Moore ripped a 106-mph line drive past the glove of LSU second baseman Cade Doughty to break a 3-3 tie in the seventh inning.

The play produced two runs for the Razorbacks, and they went on to win the series opener, 5-4.

The Hogs opened the scoring in the bottom of the first, making the Tigers pay for a throwing error by third baseman Jacob Berry.

Sophomore third baseman and leadoff hitter Cayden Wallace singled to third, advanced to second on the errant throw and eventually scored on an RBI fielder’s choice by graduate catcher Michael Turner.

The Hogs doubled their lead in the third inning, cashing in on four walks by LSU starter Ma’Khail Hilliard, but they left the bases loaded.

Razorback senior right-hander Connor Noland had a no-hitter going through five innings, but a slew of two-out LSU hits put the Hogs in a hole.

After hitting the first batter, he struck out two Tigers before allowing four consecutive singles. He recorded a quality start, but he was in line for the loss after the LSU three-spot.

Senior lefty Evan Taylor struck out the side in the seventh, and he earned his third win of the year when Arkansas responded with three runs in the bottom of the frame.

Senior center fielder Braydon Webb leveled the score at three with a two-out infield single, as Wallace raced 180 feet to score from second base. Moore followed the tying run with his eventual game-winning two-run single.

The Tigers picked up an unearned run in the eight, stemming from a catcher’s interference call against graduate backstop Michael Turner.

Freshman right-handed pitcher Brady Tygart surrendered a pair of hits to cut the lead in half and load the bases before inducing an inning-ending double play to keep the lead intact. He worked a scoreless ninth, earning his fifth save of the season.

Arkansas and LSU will square off once again at 6 p.m. Friday.

Freshman lefty Hagen Smith will start for the Razorbacks, opposite righty Blake Money for the Tigers. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.