Arkansas downs Kansas, 4-2

FAYETTEVILLE – James McCann and Kyle Robinson each had two hits, while five Arkansas pitchers combined to allow just two runs as the Razorbacks defeated Kansas 4-2 on a sunny Tuesday afternoon at Baum Stadium.

The Razorbacks are now 14-2 on the season, while Kansas drops to 7-9 with the loss.

"All I told the team before the game was to find a way to win and that’s what they did," Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. "I didn’t go over anything except find a way to win today."

The Arkansas pitching was the story of the day as five Razorback hurlers combined to hold Kansas to just two runs on five hits. Ryne Stanek started the game for the Hogs and earned his first collegiate win, throwing four innings and allowing one unearned run, while striking out three.

The Arkansas bullpen was also effective as four relievers combined to allow just one run over 5.0 innings. Randall Fant threw two shutout innings, while Geoffrey Davenport and Nolan Sanburn each tossed a scoreless frame. Sanburn earned his second save of the season, working a perfect ninth inning.

"I thought the bullpen did a great job," Van Horn said. "(Randall) Fant did a good job. Davenport gave us a good inning. I thought Nolan was outstanding again and that was good to see."

Robinson tied for the team high with two hits, including his fourth home run of the season, and also drove in a run. McCann added a pair of hits and scored a run. Sam Bates was 1-for-2 with a RBI and a run scored. Collin Kuhn drove in a team-high two runs.

Jake Marasco went 2-for-4 with two RBI to lead the Jayhawks at the plate. Jordan Brown, Casey Lytle and Brandon Macias each added a hit.

Kansas starting pitcher Alex Cox suffered his first loss of the season, surrendering two runs on two hits with three strikeouts in three innings.

After the first two innings were scoreless, Kansas struck first with a run in the top of the third. With one out, Jordan Brown reached on an infield single and moved to second after Casey Lytle reached on a fielding error by Dominic Ficociello at third. With two outs, Marasco singled to right-center, scoring Brown from second to put the Jayhawks in front.

Arkansas answered with two runs in the bottom of the third. Bates drew a four-pitch walk with one out and moved to third on a hit-and-run single up the middle by Tim Carver. Carver then advanced to second on his eighth stolen base of the season. Kuhn chopped a single over the third baseman’s head and down the left field line, scoring both runners to put the Razorbacks in front.

Arkansas added two more runs in the fourth. Robinson hit the first pitch of the inning over the left-center field fence for his fourth home run of the season. McCann then doubled down the left field line and came around to score on a two-out RBI single by Bates into right field.

Kansas cut the lead to two with a run in the fifth. Brown drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a groundout by Lytle. After a fly out to right by Jimmy Waters, Marasco doubled off the left field wall to plate Brown.

The Jayhawks were unable to get any closer as they managed just one hit over the final four innings.

Arkansas opens Southeastern Conference play this weekend at Auburn. Game times are scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, 3 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.