Razorbacks sweep in-state foe Red Wolves in midweek series

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — For the second straight game, Arkansas had no trouble with the Arkansas State Red Wolves, hanging double-digit runs on their in-state rival for a 10-3 victory Wednesday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium.

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Will McEntire built on his start against Arkansas-Pine Bluff last week, making it into and nearly out of the fifth inning. A two-out RBI single ended his outing after 4 2/3 frames, in which he allowed three hits, walked four batters and struck out five.

McEntire had plenty of run support following three-spots in the second and third innings. Freshman first baseman Kendall Diggs got the party started in the second with a sacrifice fly to left field, and sophomore catcher Dylan Leach belted a two-run homer to make it 3-0.

Arkansas began another hit parade in the third, beginning with senior shortstop Jalen Battles’ second double of the game. He and junior second baseman Robert Moore scored on another two-bagger, the first of two by sophomore left fielder Jace Bohrofen. He came around on a single by Diggs to make it 6-0.

After a scoreless fourth inning and an Arkansas State run in the top of the fifth, the Razorbacks put up another crooked number in the home half. Bohrofen led off with a double, and the next three hitters — senior center fielder Braydon Webb, Diggs and Leach — all singled and scored, making it 10-1.

The Hogs hit a rough patch in the seventh following four outs from sophomore right-hander Heston Tole, as sophomore righty Gabriel Starks loaded the bases with one out. He and senior right-hander Issac Bracken each walked a batter after that to let the Red Wolves back within seven runs. Bracken struck the next two hitters out to prevent further damage.

Freshman righty Austin Ledbetter faced the minimum in the eighth, and junior right-hander Miller Pleimann did the same in the ninth to finish the Red Wolves off.

The Razorbacks will return to action at 7:30 p.m. Friday, when they take on the Texas A&M Aggies in College Station. The projected starting pitchers are senior right-hander Connor Noland for Arkansas and righty Nathan Dettmer, and the game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.