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Late-inning heroics power Diamond Hogs to series sweep

Arkansas graduate outfielder Chris Lanzilli sent the crowd at Baum-Walker Stadium home happy Sunday afternoon when he launched a 1-2 breaking ball into the Hog Pen for a walk-off two-run homer to secure a 10-8 victory and sweep the Illinois-Chicago Flames.

The Hogs tacked on the first two runs of the contest in the third inning without ever hitting the ball out of the infield. Senior outfielders Braydon Webb and Zack Gregory reached on a throwing error and a bunt single, respectively, and scored on an RBI groundout and another bunt single, respectively.

The Flames saw the Razorbacks’ two runs and raised them four in the fourth. Sophomore righty Jaxon Wiggins and senior righty Kole Ramage combined to walk five hitters and hit one while allowing just one hit in the Flames’ six-run affair.

Arkansas cut the deficit to 6-4 in the seventh with a pair of sacrifice flies, one by sophomore third baseman Cayden Wallace and one by graduate catcher Michael Turner.

The Razorbacks finished off the comeback in the eighth inning when the bottom of the order loaded the bases for Wallace with two outs. The Greenbrier native belted a first-pitch fastball into the Hog Pen for a grand slam, his second in as many games, and an 8-6 lead. Wallace finished the weekend 6-18 with three home runs, 13 RBIs and six runs scored.

The Flames were undeterred by the Arkansas rally however, as they quickly knotted the score at eight. Freshman righty Brady Tygart allowed a walk and two hits in his third inning of work, and the Hogs needed a walk-off to win it.

Sophomore right-hander Mark Adamiak took care of the Flames after relieving Tygart with one out, just in time for the heart of the Razorback order to hit. Turner led off with a double, and Lanzilli got the party started with his second home run of the weekend.

Arkansas will welcome Grambling to Baum-Walker Stadium for a pair of midweek games at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and 4 p.m. Wednesday. The games will stream live on the SEC Network+.