Missouri State’s big third inning enough to power past Razorbacks

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Missouri State (23-16) used a six-run third inning to down Arkansas (30-11), 8-4, on Tuesday night at Hammons Field in the Razorbacks’ first true midweek road contest since 2019.

The Hogs jumped out to an early lead in the ballgame, thanks to Brady Slavens’ RBI single and Hudson Polk’s fielder’s choice in the second inning.

Hogs starter Cody Adcock turned in two innings of one-run ball with a pair of strikeouts on the mound to help the Hogs maintain their 2-1 advantage until the third.

Missouri State tagged the Arkansas bullpen for six runs on five hits and a walk in the fateful third inning, opening a 7-2 lead by the end of the frame. Zack Morris, who suffered the loss on Tuesday, was charged with five runs on four hits and a walk, while Austin Ledbetter allowed two runs on two hits and two walks in their 1.1 combined innings of relief.

True freshman Parker Coil and Ben Bybee provided stability for the Hogs, however, combining for 4 .2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Coil fanned two in his 2.2 relief innings, and Bybee had three strikeouts in his two innings of work.

Peyton Holt’s RBI triple and Caleb Cali’s RBI groundout in the seventh gave Arkansas life, but it was not enough. The Razorbacks went down in order in the eighth before stranding a runner on second in the ninth to seal their 8-4 defeat.

Ben McLaughlin collected two hits, including a double, and recorded The Hogs’ lone multi-hit performance of the night. Kendall Diggs drew a walk to lead off the game and extend his reached base streak to a team-leading 32 games.

The Hogs return to SEC play this weekend at Baum-Walker Stadium, hosting Western Division foe Texas A&M for a three-game series.

First pitch in the opener between the Razorbacks and Aggies is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday on ESPNU with Tom Hart (play-by-play) and Chris Burke (analyst) on the call.

Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.