ARLINGTON, Texas — By the middle innings, it was clear Arkansas wasn’t going to need another run to close out a four-game opening group of games..
After striking quickly in the first, the Razorbacks settled into a rhythm built on pitching changes, defensive stops and well-timed strikeouts.
Tarleton State kept putting runners in scoring position Monday afternoon at Globe Life Field, but the Hogs repeatedly shut the door in a 3-1 victory that wrapped up a 3-1 showing in North Texas.
The early cushion proved critical. Arkansas didn’t score after the opening inning, yet it never trailed. Instead, it relied on its staff to manage traffic and protect a two-run margin for the final four frames.
The decisive sequence came right away. Four consecutive batters reached base to start the game, immediately placing pressure on Tarleton State starter Daniel Bass, a Texas Tech transfer.
Damian Ruiz opened with a single and later scored on Maika Niu’s infield hit that stayed fair along the third-base line. Ryder Helfrick followed with a walk, and Camden Kozeal added a single to load the bases with no outs.
Reese Robinett and Nolan Souza each drove in runs on fielder’s choices, giving the Razorbacks a 3-0 edge before the Texans recorded three outs. That advantage held for the rest of the afternoon.
Lee navigates early traffic
Freshman Peyton Lee handled the first four-plus innings in his collegiate debut. He allowed one run on four hits, walked one and hit two batters while striking out five.
Tarleton State threatened immediately when Carson Lorch singled and advanced into scoring position in the first inning, but Lee worked out of trouble.
Similar situations unfolded in the second and third innings, with the Texans reaching third base yet coming away empty.
The lone run against Lee arrived in the fifth. Kendyl Johnson tripled with one out and scored on Lorch’s RBI double on the next pitch, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
With runners still in play, Arkansas turned to Ethan McElvain. The junior transfer from Vanderbilt induced a groundout that moved a runner to third and then recorded a strikeout to limit the damage.
McElvain added a clean sixth inning and handled more pressure in the seventh. After a leadoff single and an errant pickoff attempt put a runner at third, he responded with consecutive strikeouts to maintain the two-run margin.
Over 2 2/3 innings, McElvain surrendered just one hit and struck out five, stabilizing the middle of the game when Tarleton State appeared poised to push across another run.
Brissey finishes the job
Freshman right-hander Mark Brissey took over in the eighth for his Razorback debut and encountered traffic right away.
A one-out bunt single put a runner aboard, but Brissey erased him with a pickoff at first base.
Later in the inning, Camden Kozeal made a running, over-the-shoulder catch along the right-field line to end another potential rally.
Brissey returned for the ninth and retired the side in order to secure the save. He allowed one hit and one walk across two innings while striking out three.
Tarleton State used four pitchers in the contest. Bass allowed all three Arkansas runs on three hits and two walks in two innings, while Karsen Davis, Aden Lucas and Anthony Treto combined for multiple scoreless frames in relief.
The Razorbacks out-hit the Texans 8-6, but the defining difference came in high-leverage moments.
Tarleton State reached scoring position in the second, third, fifth and seventh innings yet produced only one run.
For Arkansas, the formula was straightforward to build an early lead and protect it.
The Hogs did just that.
