Razorbacks Blank South Alabama, 7-0

MOBILE, Ala. – The No. 15 University of Arkansas baseball team pounded out 14 hits and the defense turned a school-record five double plays as the Razorbacks defeated South Alabama 7-0 Saturday evening at Stanky Field.

Arkansas broke a scoreless game wide open in the fourth inning, stringing together five hits in the inning to plate a trio of runs. Rick Nomura provided the first blow with a run-scoring double down the right field line and Brett McAfee followed with a groundout to send Tyler Spoon home and make it 2-0. With two outs and Nomura at third, Bobby Wernes guided an RBI single to right-center to give Arkansas a 3-0 lead.

The Razorbacks added to their lead with a run in the seventh, two in the eighth inning and one more in the ninth to pick up the 7-0 victory and record the first shutout of the year.

Carson Shaddy paced the offense with his first career three-hit performance, while Spoon added a three-hit game of his own, including two doubles and an RBI.

Zach Jackson lasted 3.0 innings and gave up no runs on three hits, but walked five and gave way to Jackson Lowery who tossed 3.0 scoreless frames and allowed just one hit to earn his second collegiate victory. Lance Phillips and Parker Sanburn finished off the game, combining for 3.0 shutout innings and giving up just one hit.

The defense turned in another stellar performance, playing errorless ball and turning a school record five doubles plays. Arkansas finished just two twin killings shy of the NCAA record, last set during the 2003 season by Long Beach State against UC Riverside.

Coming Up

Arkansas will close out the weekend Sunday morning, taking on No. 11 Maryland (4-1) at Stanky Field with first pitch slated for 10 a.m. on Cox Sports.

Game Notes

• Arkansas recorded a program-record five double plays in the game, finishing two shy of the NCAA record.
• The Razorbacks have recorded double-digit hits in all five games this year and have 73 total hits on the year.
• Tyler Spoon extended his hitting streak to five games on the year and seven games overall dating back to last season.
• In his first collegiate start, Carson Shaddy recorded his first three-hit game.
• Rick Nomura has hit safely in all five games this season.
• Arkansas’ leadoff hitter reached base in seven of the nine innings.
• Four Razorback pitchers combined to strand eight South Alabama runners.

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