Three days after dropping the series finale to mid-major team from Illinois, Arkansas was in danger of losing a second straight game to such a school.
Kendall Diggs wasn’t having it.
The Diamond Hogs’ designated hitter knocked in Peyton Stovall after the sophomore led off the 11th inning with a double and Arkansas walked-off Illinois State, 10-9, in the lone game of the one-off series.
Illinois State was down 8-5 with just six outs remaining. The Redbirds plated two in the eighth and another two in the ninth – after Arkansas scored one of its own in the eighth – to force extras.
Arkansas (6-2) stranded a runner on second in the 10th and ISU did the same with a runner on first in the top of the 11th before Diggs came to the plate.
That’s midweek baseball y’all 😅 pic.twitter.com/7GN9f5PXBR
— Arkansas Baseball (@RazorbackBSB) March 2, 2023
Diggs, also a sophomore, had his best day at the plate this season. He finished 3 for 5 with a walk, a home run, two runs and two RBI. Three other Arkansas players also went deep: outfielder Jared Wegner hit a two-run shot in the first.
But the big inning came in the seventh when Stovall, Diggs and third baseman Caleb Cali went back-to-back-to-back to give Arkansas that 8-5 lead.
The Diamond Hogs bullpen struggled again, a theme in the early-season. Starter Zack Morris, who normally works in relief, lasted just one inning, giving up five hits and a walk, though he allowed just two runs. Koty Frank came on in his stead and allowed three runs on four hits in four innings. Preseason All-American Brady Tygart was also knocked around, giving up four runs – three earned – on two hits, a walk and a hit batter that allowed Illinois State to tie the game late.
Tygart did not return after appearing to injure his arm on the final pitch. Coach Dave Van Horn did not have an update on his status in the immediate post-game press conference.
Arkansas is back for a three-game set on the weekend when Wright State visits Fayetteville.
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