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Kendall Diggs delivers walk-off double for 11-inning win

Also a modern-day first for Razorbacks in 10-9 win over a pesky Illinois State team Wednesday at Baum-Walker Stadium.

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — No. 8 Arkansas (6-2) outlasted Illinois State (4-3), 10-9 in 11 innings, on Wednesday evening at Baum-Walker Stadium in a game that featured back-to-back-to-back home runs by the Hogs for the first time in modern history.

Kendall Diggs was once again the hero, hitting a walk-off RBI double in the bottom of the 11th to lift the Razorbacks to a rollercoaster midweek win.

The Hogs’ designated hitter also swatted a walk-off three-run homer in last weekend’s series opener against Eastern Illinois on Feb. 24, which powered the Hogs to a 13-2 run-rule win in seven innings.

It was madness from the start as Arkansas belted four home runs on Wednesday, beginning with Jared Wegner’s two-run shot in the bottom of the first. His no-doubter to left center was the start of a three-run inning, erasing the Razorbacks’ early one-run deficit.

Illinois State, however, fought back to reopen a 5-3 advantage after five innings of play.

The Redbirds tagged Arkansas starter Zack Morris for two runs on five hits and a walk in an inning of work before breaking through for three runs on four hits in four innings against reliever Koty Frank, who racked up three strikeouts in middle relief.

The Razorbacks would tie the game at five apiece in the bottom of the sixth, but they saved their biggest fireworks for the seventh.

The Hogs took an 8-5 lead when Peyton Stovall, Diggs and Caleb Cali made program history by clubbing back-to-back-to-back home runs, a feat that has not been accomplished by an Arkansas team since at least 1970, legendary former coach Norm DeBriyn’s first season at the helm.

Caleb Cali (Walt Beazley / Arkansas Communications)

Arkansas turned to right-handers Cody Adcock (2.0 IP, 0 R, 2 SO) and Brady Tygart (1.2 IP, 4 R, 2 SO) to close out the ballgame, but no lead was safe on Wednesday. The Redbirds scored two in the eighth and two more in the ninth, drawing even with the Hogs and forcing extra innings.

After Tygart departed due to an apparent arm injury, Dylan Carter emerged from the bullpen and threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out one. The Bentonville, Ark., native’s dominance in relief, which earned him his first career win, set the stage for Diggs’ heroics in the 11th.

After Stovall’s leadoff double to right, Diggs drove a double over the center fielder’s head. Stovall jogged home from second, sealing the Razorbacks’ back-and-forth 10-9 win in extras.

Zack Morris (Andy Hodges / HitThatLine.com)

Wegner, Stovall and Diggs each finished with a team-leading three hits. Wegner drove in a team-high three RBI, while Diggs and Cali each picked up two RBI in the ballgame.

Arkansas next hosts Wright State for a three-game set this weekend at Baum-Walker Stadium. First pitch is 3 p.m. Friday on the SEC Network+.

Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.

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2024 Razorbacks Football

Thu, Aug 29vs UAPB (Little Rock)W, 70-0
Sat, Sep 7@ Oklahoma StateL, 31-39 2OT
Sat, Sep 14vs UABW, 37-27
Sat, Sep 21@ AuburnW, 24-14
Sat, Sep 28vs Texas A&M (Arl)L, 21-17
Sat, Oct 5vs TennesseeW, 19-14
Sat, Oct 19vs LSUL, 34-10
Sat, Oct 26@ Mississippi StateW, 58-25
Sat, Nov 2vs Ole MissL, 63-35
Sat, Nov 16vs Texas11:00 AM
Sat, Nov 23vs Louisiana TechTBD
ESPN+/SECN+
Sat, Nov 30@ MissouriTBD
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2024 High School Rankings

Following is the Arkansas Sports Media High School Football Poll including the Overall Top 10, the top five in Classes 7A, 6A, 5A, 4A, 3A and 2A, plus the top three in the 8-man division, as voted by a panel of sports media from around the state for the week ending August 24. Ranking is given with first-place votes received, records, total points and ranking from last week's poll:
OVERALLRecordPtsPrv
1.Bryant (18)8-02521
2.Conway (6)8-02302
3.Greenwood (2)8-02103
4.Little Rock Parkview7-11714
5.Bentonville5-31416
6.Benton7-11265
7.Fayetteville6-21008
8.Pulaski Academy6-2757
9.Rogers5-3459
10.Shiloh Christian6-24010
Others receiving votes: Marion 13, Valley View 9, Joe T Robinson 8, Mountain Home 4, Cabot 3, Elkins 3.
CLASS 7A
1.Bryant (20)8-01241
2.Conway (6)8-01052
3.Bentonville5-3753
4.Fayetteville6-2455
5.Pulaski Academy6-2354
Others receiving votes: Rogers 5.
CLASS 6A
1.Greenwood (26)8-01301
2.Benton7-11022
3.Shiloh Christian6-2713
4.Marion7-1524
5.Mountain Home7-131
Others receiving votes: Little Rock Catholic 4.
CLASS 5A
1.Little Rock Parkview (23)7-11271
2.Joe T Robinson7-1902
3.Valley View (3)8-0803
4.Hot Springs Lakeside7-1484
5.Farmington7-130
Others receiving votes: Camden Fairview 4, Maumelle 4, Morrilton 3, Greenbrier 2, Harding Academy 1.
CLASS 4A
1.Elkins (19)8-01161
2.Arkadelphia (5)6-2792
3.Little Rock Mills (1)8-0703
4.Warren6-2404
5.Malvern (1)8-0315
Others receiving votes: Dardanelle 22, Southside Batesville 11, Mena 8, Bauxite 7, DeWitt 4, Highland 2.
CLASS 3A
4.Bismarck (15)8-01054
5.Fordyce (4)8-0765
Prescott (3)7-1531t
1.Osceola (2)6-149
3.Mayflower (1)8-036
Others receiving votes: Booneville (1) 31, Rivercrest 19, Mansfield 14, Charleston 4, Rison 3.
CLASS 2A
1.Carlisle (21)8-01211
2.Conway Christian (4)8-01042
3.Des Arc7-1663
4.Bigelow (1)6-2455
5.Murfreesboro6-230
Others receiving votes: Marked Tree 10, Mineral Springs 6, Junction City 5, Cross County 1, Mount Ida 1, Poyen 1
8-MAN SANCTIONED
1.Strong-Huttig (25)5-0761
2.Midland (1)7-0502
3.Cedar Ridge7-1253
Others receiving votes: Rector 5.

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ESPN ARKANSAS 99.5 IN FAYETTEVILLE, 95.3 IN THE RIVER VALLEY, 96.3 IN HOT SPRINGS, 104.3 IN HARRISON-MOUNTAIN HOME.