FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Things didn’t start well for Arkansas on Friday night.
In a game built up by the fans because they want to create something between Tennessee coach Tony Vitello and Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn that fizzled out early.
The Hogs got over the slow start and rolled to a 5-2 win over the Vols behind Hunter Hollan’s start that was typically rocky in the beginning, then settled out for a steady six innings. Hagen Smith finished things in what is becoming a fairly deadly opening-night combination.
That could turn out to be huge in this weekend series.
Hollan gave up five hits in the game, but the only damage was done in the first inning.
The Vols weren’t wasting any time at the plate and Jared Dickey cranked the fourth pitch of the game from Hunter Hollan off Kendall Diggs’ glove and over the wall and things were off and running. That was followed by a single that turned into a run for that early 2-0 lead.
It lasted until the third inning when Parker Rowland led off with a hit, John Bolton reached on a fielder’s choice and Tavian Josenberger drilled a three-run homer to right field.
That made it 3-2 and the Hogs added another run in the fourth when Brady Slavens reached on an error and scored a couple of batters later after they loaded the bases and the Vols turned a double play for a 4-2 lead.
Jace Bohrofen hit his ninth homer in the fifth for a 5-2 edge.
Hagen Smith came on in the seventh inning and struck out six of the first seven batters he faced before letting two people on, then striking out the potential tying run to end the game with a 5-2 win to kick off the series.
The Hogs and Vols will meet against Saturday night at 6 p.m. with pitchers to be announced. The game will be on SEC Network+.
