The Auburn Tigers returned to Plainsman Park on Thursday in search of their first win in SEC play, following its winless performance against Vanderbilt. They would have to do so at the hands of the nation’s top-ranked team in Arkansas, though, so the challenge would be anything but easy.
Auburn (14-7) opened up its series with the Razorbacks (18-2) with a game that was back-and-forth battle between the pitching staffs of both teams. Unfortunately for the Tigers, they finished on the losing end of that fight, 1-0.
That lone run from Arkansas came in the 1st inning. After two quick outs to open the game up, Wehiwa Ahoy blasted a home run over the right field wall. At that point, it seemed as if an offensive battle was going to take place.
The rest of the game was actually anything but.
Auburn had a chance to tie the game up in the 1st with two outs when [autotag]Ike Irish[/autotag] made it to scoring position on a wild pitch. [autotag]Cooper McMurray[/autotag] struck out swinging soon after, ending the threat.
The Razorbacks almost extended the lead in the 3rd with runners on second and third with one out. That was when right fielder [autotag]Bobby Peirce[/autotag] caught a fly ball and threw a runner out at the plate to end the top half of the inning.
The Tigers also had a chance to make a run at the lead with runners on second and third in the 4th inning, but nothing resulted of it.
The next big threat came about in the bottom of the 6th when Auburn had the bases loaded and two outs. [autotag]Mason Maners[/autotag] would ground out towards the first base side, keeping the Tigers scoreless.
The rest of the game went pretty quietly, with every out being crucial on both sides. Auburn was never able to make a run, ultimately dropping the contest.
Arkansas ace pitcher Hagen Smith picked up his fourth win on the season. He struck out 12, walked two and gave up three hits in the game.
[autotag]Conner McBride[/autotag] was given the loss. In addition to giving up the lone run, he gave up four hits, struck out four and walked two. He drops to 3-1 on the season.
Auburn’s second game with the Razorbacks is set for Friday, with first pitch being set for 6 p.m. CST.
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