Stovall Returns, Razorbacks Battle in Low-Scoring Affair Against McNeese
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas picked up a 3-1 series-opening win against the McNeese State Cowboys in the first game of a doubleheader after Friday's game was postponed. Hagen Smith stuck out eight in just four innings of work to take the win on the mound.
Smith was not his crispest self the first time through the lineup, but still managed five strikeouts while working around three walks. The Bullard, Tex. native passed Kevin Kopps for sixth all-time in career Razorback strikeouts.
Razorback fans welcomed Peyton Stovall with a standing ovation in the bottom of the second for the first time this season after suffering a broken foot. Hitting in the six-hole and as a designated hitter, Stovall legged out an infield single, but two double plays in the first two innings halted the Hog offense.
Arkansas, still dealing with a general lack of power, manufactured a run to open the scoring in the third. Nolan Souza led off with a leadoff walk, stole second and scored on Wehiwa Aloy's RBI single.
The Razorbacks doubled its lead after two doubles plated another run. Hudson White plated Ben McLaughlin on a double into the right-center field gap.
With Smith scheduled to throw next Friday against Missouri to open conference play, coach Dave Van Horn opted to take his ace out after just four innings and 64 pitches, replacing him with Will McEntire.
McEntire, who came into the game leading the team in innings pitched, worked around back-to-back two-out singles to strand the tying run at second and keep McNeese off the board.
The Cowboys finally cracked the scoreboard in the sixth, a leadoff single and wild pitch put a runner at second with no outs. Braden Duhon plated the first run with an RBI single, but a heads-up play from McLaughlin at first base caught Duhon trying to advance to second on the throw and cleared the bases, recording a pivotal second out. The Hogs went to the bottom of the sixth with a 2-1 lead intact.
Three singles got the run right back in the bottom of the inning, White had his first multi-hit game since opening weekend, and pinch-hitter Peyton Holt drove in the run with a single to left.
Jake Faherty relieved McEntire in the seventh and immediately ran into trouble, a single and two walks loaded the bases and put the tying run on first base with just one out. Gabe Gaeckle doused the threat, recording a strikeout and a groundout to third to keep the two-run lead intact.
Gaeckle recorded the final eight outs and picked up his third save of the season. The Aptos, Calif. native has now inherited eight runners and stranded all of them.
The Razorbacks will play the second leg of a doubleheader against McNeese State after Friday's game was canceled due to weather. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and will be streamed on SEC Network+.
HOG FEED:
• Razorbacks star infielder back for final non-conference weekend series of the year
• Pittman, Petrino move quick to replace departed assistant
• Loss of Smith huge hit to Hogs' recruiting, player stability
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