Gentry?s Ninth-Inning Triple Carries Diamond Hogs 2-1

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Craig Gentry’s walk-off triple into the right-center field gap in the ninth inning carried No. 12 Arkansas to a 2-1 win over Northern Colorado on Tuesday night in front of 4,197 fans at Baum Stadium.

Jake Dugger got the Razorbacks’ rally going in the bottom of the ninth inning with a single to right field. Dugger had entered the game as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning. Gentry followed with his third triple of the season to score Dugger and give the Hogs the win.

Arkansas improves to 28-10 on the season and snaps a two-game mid-week losing streak. Northern Colorado falls to 13-22.

The Hogs had the game wrapped up in the ninth inning with two UNC runners on base, one out and a ground ball back at closer Devin Collis. He fielded the ball and threw wide of second base allowing a run to score and knotting the game at 1-1.

It would be a blown save for Collis (5-0), but he would earn the win by retiring the final two batters of the ninth inning on a strikeout and a fly ball to center field.

Arkansas starting pitcher Daryl Maday pitched four innings without allowing a hit and striking out four in his first start of the season. The only blemish on the right-hander’s line was a second-inning walk. Chris Rhoads also pitched 2.1 innings, allowing a hit and an unearned run.

Evan Linn started for Northern Colorado and pitched six innings, allowing just two Arkansas’ hit. He did walk six batters and strike out four on 109 pitches.

Clint Arnold picked up the first hit with a second inning double. He came to the plate again in the top of the seventh inning to face Linn and deposited a 1-1 pitch over the left-field fence to give the Hogs a 1-0 lead. It was Arnold’s second home run of the season and his second in his last four at bats. He had not homered in his first 275 career at bats prior to Saturday’s three-run shot.

Arnold’s two hits led the way for the Hogs. Danny Hamblin chipped in with an infield single before the ninth-inning heroics from Dugger and Gentry. UNC managed just three hits off three Arkansas pitchers.

The Hogs and Bears finish up the series 6:05 p.m. on Wednesday at Baum Stadium.