Baseball

Razorbacks split doubleheader, but take series over Gamecocks

Hogs hold on in second game against South Carolina after dropping first game Saturday to win series.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 20, 2024

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Arkansas took the rubber game of a three-game series against South Carolina 9-6 behind a five-run seventh inning.

“Just a really gutsy win that game two by our team,” coach Dave Van Horn said. “I felt like a lot of guys contributed. Whether it was base running or driving in a run. Just a lot of things I really liked.”

Van Horn lamented Friday night that the Razorbacks were struggling for the big hit to ignite the offense. With Arkansas up 4-2 and desperately looking for insurance, the Razorbacks sent 10 men to the plate and put up a five-spot. The inning was highlighted by a two-run double from Kendall Diggs to left.

The ever-consistent starting pitching staff was back to its dominant self. Brady Tygart turned in a quality start with six innings of two-run ball on just four hits and struck out six. His season ERA now sits at 2.64.

“I learned how to throw strikes again,” Tygart said. “That worked really well for me. I was just mixing everything.”

Arkansas scored first for the first time all series. A routine grounder to short was booted by Gamecocks’ shortstop Lee Ellis allowing Nolan Souza to reach and set the table for a three-run inning.

With the bases loaded and one out, Jack Wagner just beat out a routine double play ball to score on a fielder’s choice.

The second run came across on a wild pitch. The Hogs finally got a big hit with runners in scoring position with a RBI double off the bat of Parker Rowland, making his first SEC appearence in nearly a month (March 22 vs. Auburn).

South Carolina chipped away at the Arkansas lead with RBI doubles in the third and the fifth to cut the lead to just 3-2.

First Game: Gamecocks 6, Hogs 3

Arkansas dropped the first game of a doubleheader to the South Carolina Gamecocks 6-3 as the offensive woes continued for a third straight SEC game. Mason Molina had no command of his pitches at all, issuing seven walks in just 3 1/3 innings of work but for the most part was able to work out of trouble.

South Carolina did cash in back-to-back leadoff walks in the second for an early 2-0 lead. Both runs came around to score on a Talmadge LeCroy RBI single.

Arkansas’ offense struggled to find the big hit for the third straight game dating back to the series finale against Alabama, stranding five runners on base in the first three innings. They were however able to cut the deficit in half in the fourth with a sac fly from Will Edmunson.

In the bottom of the inning, after two more walks, coach Dave Van Horn had seen enough, turning to Parker Coil with one out. With the bases loaded, Coil saved at least a run with great composure to keep the gap at just a solitary run after getting clunked with a comebacker and throwing home for a forceout.

The Razorbacks got one run back in the top of the seventh without the benefit of a hit and Peyton Stovall led off the ninth with a solo homer and the go-ahead run came to the plate with just one out. However, Peyton Holt grounded into a forceout at home with bases loaded and Jayson Jones struck out to end the game.