Arkansas might have preferred the win over Ole Miss apply to last season’s final game, but Saturday’s will work.
The Diamond Hogs had no trouble with the defending national champions, 11-2, in the first of a doubleheader after the initial opener scheduled for Thursday was cancelled. The two teams were set to again later Saturday night.
Arkansas’ six-run fifth was the most important frame. All nine starters came to the plate and Brady Slavens, the seventh batter of the inning, plated Jared Wegner, Jace Bohrofen and Kendall Diggs with a grand slam. The jack was the second of the game after Caleb Cali opened the scoring in the second inning with a two-run shot.
Meanwhile, Ole Miss couldn’t handle Hunter Hollan. Arkansas’ starter gave up just three hits in six innings while striking out four. By the time the Rebels were on the board, a two-run homer by Kemp Alderman, in the eighth, the Hogs had already scored nine.
Arkansas sat alone atop the SEC West after the win as the Diamond Hogs 7-3 record was one less in the loss column than No. 2 LSU. Ole Miss was 1-9 after the first game of the set.
[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=131]