Razorbacks’ bats just too much for Tigers pitching in series opener

The Tigers fell just short in the series opener against the Razorbacks.

On Friday, the No. 3 Arkansas Razorbacks made the trek from Fayetteville to take on the No. 18 Auburn Tigers. The Tigers starting pitcher in game one was Mason Barnett while the Razorbacks starting pitcher was Connor Noland.

Both pitchers got off to a good start through the first two innings. The Tigers were the first to scratch across a run. In the top half of the third inning, right-fielder Bobby Peirce would reach off an error from the Razorbacks shortstop. It not only allowed Peirce to reach, but it also brought across two runs. First baseman Sonny DiChiara and center-fielder Kason Howell scored the first two runs of the game to put the Tigers up 2-0 after three innings played.

After the Razorbacks went scoreless again in the top half of the fourth inning, Butch Thompson’s squad was able to capitalize. The first batter of the inning was left fielder Brooks Carlson who would hit a solo home run to right-center field. Several batters later and it was third baseman Blake Rambusch that delivered with an RBI single to score shortstop Brody Moore. The next batter, Kason Howell, also hit an RBI single to plate second baseman Cole Foster. After four, the Tigers were leading 5-0.

After four long innings for the Hogs, the No. 3 team was able to score two runs. A single by third baseman Cayden Wallace brought across shortstop Jaylen Battles. A few batters later and it was first baseman Brady Slavens who hit a sacrifice fly to score left-fielder Zack Gregory.

In the bottom half of the fifth inning, Moore hit a solo home run to increase the Tigers’ lead to 6-2 heading into the sixth inning.

In the top half of the sixth inning, Arkansas was able to claw away at the lead with two additional runs. Right-fielder Jace Bohrofen hit a two-run home run to cut the Tigers’ lead to 6-4. After the sixth inning, things went downhill quick for the team in orange and blue. A three-run home run plus an RBI single plated four runs for the Razorbacks to give them the 8-6 lead heading into the eighth inning.

In the eighth, the runs kept coming for the No. 3 ranked Razorbacks. Second baseman Robert Moore hit a three-run home run to increase the lead to 11-6 heading into the bottom half of the inning. Foster hit a double to score catcher Nate LaRue. Then, Peirce would deliver with a single into center field to score Foster. After eight, the Hogs led 11-8.

The Tigers weren’t able to do anything in the ninth innings as the Razorbacks in turn took the series opener by a score of 11-8. Auburn falls to 31-15 while Arkansas improves to 35-11. Game two is scheduled for tomorrow 4:30 C.T. and will be televised on SEC Network.