Razorbacks hold off late charge from Kentucky, open series with win

Behind Isaiah Campbell’s solid seven innings and Casey Martin getting yet another inside-the-park homer, Arkansas downed Kentucky in Lexington on Friday night, 5-2.

Campbell threw 104 pitches in getting his eighth win of the season, striking out six and giving up five hits. He didn’t walk anybody and lowered his ERA to 2.54.

And there was Martin, who got the third inside-the-park homer of his career and second straight in a game, which has to be some sort of record. Most players never get one and now he has three, thanks to his speed … and some luck.

Friday night, Martin lined a pitch off the wall in center in the fifth inning, then scored when the centerfielder sailed into the wall and took a little to long to get the ball.

The Razorbacks had their first four batters reach on three base hits and a throwing error by the pitcher. Dominic Fletcher then hit a two-run single, Matt Goodheart came home on a passed ball and Jacob Nesbit scored on a fielder’s choice as the Hogs raced to a 4-0 lead.

Beat the Wildcats allowed the Hogs to keep a two-game lead in the SEC West.

Kevin Kopps relieved Campbell in the eighth, but couldn’t get anybody out and Matt Cronin came on to record four strikeouts and get Arkansas out of a jam to record his 10th save of the season.

The Razorbacks are supposed to play the second game Saturday at 1 p.m., but there is a 70% chance of rain in the Lexington, Kentucky, area Saturday afternoon.