Razorbacks Fall to Missouri State 4-2

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Nolan Keane’s eighth-inning opposite-field three-run home run broke a 1-1 tie and propelled Missouri State to a 4-2 win over No. 12 Arkansas on Tuesday night in front of 2,521 fans at Hammons field.

The Razorbacks fell to 25-9 on the season and 0-2 against the Bears, while MSU improves to 19-10 on the season.

Missouri State took the lead for good in the bottom of the eighth inning as Matt Lawson tripled into right-center field with one out and Adam Pummill reach on a walk. Keane then lined a 1-2 changeup off Lee Land over the left-field, just out of reach of Jake Dugger’s out-stretched glove.

Land took the loss to fall to 1-1 on the season. He allowed three runs on three hits, while walking two and striking out two.

Matt Frevert pitched the seventh and eighth inning to improve to 3-1 on the season for the Bears. He allowed one run on one hit. Chris Krawczyk pitched the ninth inning to earn his fifth save of the season.

Shaun Seibert started and pitched five-strong innings. He allowed just one unearned run on three hits, while walking one and striking out five.

The Bear’s took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning on a passed ball by UA catcher Brian Walker. Brayden Drake led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch by Seibert. Tony Lewis followed with a single through the right side to put runners on first and third base. After a pop up to the shortstop for the first out, Walker’s passed ball allowed Drake to race home.

The Bears’ Jake Shafer continued to baffle the Razorbacks’ bats with six-scoreless innings. He allowed for hits while walking one and striking out five. Shafer earned the win in last week’s game with five innings of work.

Arkansas tied things up in the top of the seventh inning with a solo home run off the bat of Blake Parker. The Hogs’ third baseman connected on a 1-0 pitch and deposited it beyond the left-center field berm to tie the score a 1-1.

The Razorbacks then wasted a prime scoring opportunity in the top of the eighth inning. Craig Gentry was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and then swiped second base. Chris Hollensworth, Dugger and Danny Hamblin followed by striking out in three straight at bats.

Matt Willard was the only Razorback to collect multiple hits, going 3-for-4. UA managed just eight hits off three Missouri State pitchers.

UA plated a run in the top of the ninth inning with a pinch-hit-RBI single by Clint Arnold.

Arkansas returns home this weekend for a three-game series with Kentucky. Friday’s first pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. Saturday’s game is set for 4:05 p.m. with the series finale at 12:35 p.m.