Strong pitching keys Razorbacks’ 4-1 win over South Carolina

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas didn’t need the long ball in the series-opener against South Carolina. They used some key hits and pulled out a methodical 4-1 win over the Gamecocks in a game between a pair of Top 10 teams.

This series may provide a leg up to be one of the top eight seeds for the NCAA Tournament, putting them in position to host a Super Regional matchup. They can thank starter Hagen Smith who didn’t let the Gamecocks get a fast start and Gage Wood finished it strong, not giving up anything and striking out the last two batters.

The win gives the Razorbacks a 37-12 record (18-7 in SEC) and a fast start to the final home regular-season series of the season.

The game had a blazing fast start with Smith and South Carolina starter Eli Jones and the Hogs’ infield again turning a quick double play to end the first after walking the first two batters. They went through the first two innings in less than 30 minutes.

After the Gamecocks didn’t get a baserunner in the third, Peyton Holt led off the bottom half with a line shot down the first baseline for a double. Tavian Josenberger worked a two-out walk, then Kendal Diggs drove home the first run of the game.  Jace Bohrofen couldn’t do anything with a pair of runners on base, but the Hogs did get a 1-0 lead.

South Carolina tied the game in the sixth, sending Smith out after throwing 94 pitches over 5.2 innings, giving up four hits, walking three and striking out seven. He left a couple of runners on base for Gage Wood and he got the Hogs out of the inning with a ground-out to third that Caleb Cali knocked down and completed the long throw, leaving the game tied, 1-1.

The Hogs answered with a walk by Bohrofen and a single from Ben McLaughlin that moved Bohrofen to third and he scored on Cali’s double-play grounder. That gave the Hogs a 2-1 lead for Wood headed into the seventh.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Hogs started getting some separation. Holt drew a leadoff walk, then got to third after a single from John Bolton was followed with a two-out RBI by Diggs for a 4-1 lead as the Gamecocks are now into their bullpen with Cade Austin replacing Jones on the mound.

Wood gave up a lone single in the top of the eighth and struck out the last two hitters.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Hogs managed to get Holt to third after a walk and a single by Rowland’s line shot the Gamecocks’ second baseman climbed a ladder to grab to send it to the ninth with a 4-1 lead.