Second-ranked Arkansas scored three runs in the fourth inning to build a comfortable lead in ultimately beating Indiana, 5-2, in the Razorbacks’ first game of the Karbach Round Rock Classic on Friday night.
Four straight batters reached in the big inning as Brady Slavens doubled, Michael Turner tripled him home, Jalen Battles walked and Zack Gregory was hit by a pitch. Cayden Wallace walked with the bases loaded and two outs, then Robert Moore reached on an error, allowing Gregory to score, as well.
It was more than enough for starter Connor Noland. The senior right-hander pitched six innings of five-hit ball, allowing one run and two walks while striking out 10.
Indiana put itself on the board in the fifth when Morgan Colopy tripled and Mark Pyne’s double on the next at-bat knocked him home. Noland would leave Pyne stranded as its all the Hoosiers would get in the frame.
Arkansas pulled the run back in the seventh when Wallace doubled, advanced to third on a passed ball and Robert Moore singled for his second RBI of the game.
The Razorbacks are back in action Saturday in the Classic when they play No. 6 Stanford at 4 p.m.