“Look at all those zeros.”
That’s what Thursday night’s color analyst Greg Olson said about the scoreboard going into the 9th inning. The first meeting between Auburn and Arkansas wasn’t a game for the offense-loving fans.
The only action of the day happened early in the game. In the top of the first, Wehiwa Aloy hit a single-run homer with two outs to put the Hogs on top. Catcher Hudson White was the best hitter to take the field tonight, going 3-4.
Besides Aloy and White, though, only Ben McLaughlin and Ty Wilmsmeyer recorded a hit for the Razorbacks, with one a piece.
Of course, Hagen Smith was the star of the show. The lefty has shut down every offense he’s faced, including arguably the best in the nation in Oregon State. Tonight, Smith had yet another double-digit strikeout performance.
However, things did get hairy in the sixth. Smith found himself in a bases-loaded situation after Auburn right-fielder Bobby Pierce reached first on a dropped fly ball and after he gave up a walk two batters later. But with two outs, every base was playable, and the Hogs easily got out of the inning with a ground out to first.
Will McEntire and Gabe Gaeckle combined for 5 more Ks in three innings to close the game.
Arkansas can take its second SEC series tomorrow with a win. Although, the hitters will need to step up to make that happen. The Diamond Hogs will need that production after this series anyway—especially at the top of the order—as they dive deeper into a punishing SEC Schedule. It might as well start against the Tigers.