White’s homer, Wood’s good relief outing not enough against Wildcats

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Despite Hudson White’s two-run homer and Gage Wood’s six strikeouts, No. 2 Arkansas (40-8, 17-6 SEC) lost to No. 8 Kentucky (34-10, 17-6), 11-3, Saturday afternoon in the game two of the series at Kentucky Proud Park.

The Razorbacks and Wildcats will now square off in a rubber game tomorrow afternoon in Lexington. First pitch in the series finale between second-ranked Arkansas and eighth-ranked Kentucky is noon CT Sunday, May 5, on SEC Network+.

White’s two-run blast in the top of the second inning put Arkansas ahead early. The Razorback catcher, who finished 1-for-3 with two runs scored, two RBI and a walk, connected on his second home run of the season, and his first home run since Opening Day against James Madison on Feb. 16.

Staked with an early 2-0 lead, starter Brady Tygart, who had turned in quality starts in each of his previous two outings, lasted only three innings, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks before departing the ballgame. In relief of Tygart, right-handers Gage Wood (4.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 SO) and Koty Frank (0.2 IP, 3 ER, 1 SO) worked Saturday’s final five innings.Wood’s strong relief outing saw him toss a career-long 4.1 innings and match his career high in strikeouts (6). For the season, the sophomore owns a 2.81 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 25.2 innings over 17 appearances, including one start.

Peyton Stovall continued his tear at the plate, logging his third consecutive multi-hit game. The Razorback second baseman went 2-for-5 with an RBI on the afternoon to raise his season slash line to a team-leading .354/.421/.558.

The Hogs will go for their seventh consecutive series win against the Wildcats in tomorrow’s rubber game. Arkansas, which has not lost a series in Lexington since 2011, is seeking its fourth consecutive road series win against Kentucky.

Junior left-hander Mason Molina will start on the mound for the Razorbacks in game three at Kentucky Proud Park. With a win tomorrow to clinch the series, Arkansas can secure its best 24-game SEC start (18-6) in program history. The Hogs’ best 24-game SEC start in school history is 17-7, which they have achieved four times – 1999, 2019, 2021 and 2023.

You can watch Sunday’s game on ESPN+ or listen at HitThatLine or on the radio at ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.34 in Harrison-Mountain Home.

Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.