Razorback Baseball locks down Kentucky, sweeps SEC opening weekend

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas silenced the Kentucky bats once again Sunday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium, prevailing 3-1 over the Wildcats to sweep the series.

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Jaxon Wiggins tossed the Hogs’ third quality start of the weekend, going six shutout innings with four hits, four walks and eight strikeouts. With Wiggins’ quality start, all three Razorback starters have three on the year.

Arkansas struck first for the third time in the series, posting a two-spot in the third inning. Senior shortstop Jalen Battles led off with a single up the middle, and senior center fielder Braydon Webb unleashed a 442-foot bomb to left-center field for his second home run of the series and third of the week.

The Hogs pushed the lead to three runs in the fourth when Battles laid down a bunt to score junior second baseman Robert Moore from third base. They threatened to score again in the fifth and seventh innings but ended up leaving five men on base in those two frames.

Senior lefty Evan Taylor took the mound in the seventh inning for the second time in the series. He allowed a pair of hits, including a solo home run by leadoff hitter Ryan Ritter, but it was the Wildcats’ only run of the game. They left at least one runner on base in all nine innings.

Right-hander Brady Tygart was tasked with recording the final six outs for Arkansas, and the freshman worked around a hit batter and a single to do just that. He earned his second save of the season, inducing five fly ball outs and one strikeout.

The Razorbacks will not play Nebraska-Omaha on Wednesday as previously scheduled due to poor weather conditions in the forecast. Head coach Dave Van Horn said there is a possibility of a replacement midweek game or two at home, but it is unlikely the Hogs can secure an opponent in time. If they do not, their next game is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday in Columbia, Missouri, where they will open a three-game set with the Missouri Tigers. Each contest will stream live on the SEC Network+.