Arkansas downs Louisiana Tech in 10 innings

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Matt Reynolds tied a career-high with four hits, drove in three runs and scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning as Arkansas defeated Louisiana Tech, 6-5, on Tuesday night in front of 10,512 fans at Dickey-Stephens Park.

The Razorbacks improve to 36-17 with the win, while Louisiana Tech drops to 23-24 with the loss. Arkansas also improved to 3-0 at Dickey-Stephens Park. The Razorbacks defeated Louisiana Tech in 2010 and downed Memphis last season.

With the game tied at five in the bottom of the 10th inning, Arkansas put together the game-winning rally. With one out, Reynolds and Brian Anderson had back-to-back singles to put runners on first and second. With Derrick Bleeker at the plate, Reynolds stole third and the Louisiana Tech catcher’s throw to third got past the third baseman and down the left field line, allowing Reynolds to score the game-winning run.

Reynolds continued his hot hitting, extending his reached base streak to 36 straight games and his hitting streak to nine straight games. Reynolds tied a career high with four hits in the win, including his sixth homer of the season, and also added three RBI with three runs scored. Tim Carver had three hits out of the leadoff spot and scored a run, while Anderson and Bo Bigham each added two hits.

Taylor Terrasas and Ryan Gebhardt each had two hits for Louisiana Tech, while Bre’Shon Kimbell drove in a pair of runs.

Arkansas reliever Barrett Astin (3-5) picked up the win in relief. Astin threw two hitless innings and struck out four. Caleb Dudley (4-4) took the loss for the Bulldogs after throwing two innings and giving up an unearned run on three hits with a strikeout.

Brandon Moore and Nolan Sanburn each pitched well in relief for Arkansas. Sanburn threw 3.1 scoreless innings with five strikeouts, while Moore tossed 1.2 hitless innings with a pair of strikeouts.

Louisiana Tech struck first with two runs in the top of the first. Terrasas led off the game with a 10-pitch at bat, which ended with a single into left field. Gebhardt then doubled down the left field line to put runners on second and third. Alex Williams drove in the game’s first run with a line drive single to center field, scoring Terrasas. A 3-6-3 double play off the bat of Kimbell scored Gebhardt to put the Bulldogs up 2-0.

Arkansas answered back with three runs in the bottom of the first. Carver doubled down the left field to begin the inning and then moved to third after Dominic Ficociello reached on an infield single. Reynolds then split the gap in left-center field, scoring both runners to tie the game. After back-to-back strikeouts of Anderson and Bleeker, Bigham reached on an infield single to second and Reynolds was able to score all the way from second on the play to give the Razorbacks the lead.

The Bulldogs regained the lead with two runs in the top of the third. Justin Gordey and Terrasas drew back-to-back walks to begin the inning. After a foul out to the first baseman by Gebhardt, a wild pitch moved runners to second and third. Williams then popped out to short for the second out of the inning. Kimbell was able to drive home both runners with a ground rule double down the left field.

Arkansas evened the game at four in the bottom of the fifth inning on Reynolds’ leadoff homer over the left field wall, his sixth round-tripper of the season.

The Razorbacks took the lead with a run game in the bottom of the sixth. Matt Vinson drew a leadoff walk and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Joe Serrano. Carver then looped a single into right field to put runners on first and third with one out. Ficociello hit a sacrifice fly to left to score Vinson.

Louisiana Tech tied the game with a run in the top of the seventh. Sam Alvis singled to left to begin the inning, but was cut down at second on a failed sacrifice bunt attempt by Gordey. Arkansas had Gordey picked off at first, but Ficociello’s throw hit the runner, allowing him to advance to third with one out. Terrasas then doubled to the left-center field alley, scoring Gordey with the tying run.

Arkansas had a chance to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth, loading the bases with two outs. However, Bigham grounded out to short to end the threat and keep the game tied.

Arkansas closes the regular season this weekend with a three-game series at Tennessee. Game times are set for 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday.