Hogs Stun Vandy

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Down to its final two outs, No. 12 Arkansas pushed five runs across in the ninth inning, erasing a two-run deficit while knocking off No. 7 Vanderbilt, 14-12 in the four-plus hour series finale at Hawkins Field on Sunday afternoon.

The Commodores (27-9, 9-6 SEC) extended their lead to three on a two-run home run from Philip Clarke in the seventh before the Razorbacks (26-10, 9-6 SEC) began chipping away. Arkansas scored once on a sac fly in the eighth and did major damage in the ninth.

Facing Vanderbilt closer Tyler Brown (1-1), the Hogs connected on three consecutive hits including a run-scoring triple from Matt Goodheart and game-tying RBI-single from Dominic Fletcher. With two away, Jacob Nesbit put Arkansas ahead with an RBI-double and Casey Opitz contributed the fifth hit of the inning, plating a pair on a single into left field.

Austin Martin cut Vanderbilt’s deficit to two in the home half, leading off with a homer before Ethan Paul and Philip Clarke added consecutive walks. Reliever Marshall Denton came on, fanning Harrison Ray and Cooper Davis to strand two and preserve the win.

Clarke (3-for-4) totaled a career-high six RBIs and Julian Infante (2-for-4) collected his first multi-home run game, going yard in consecutive at-bats to lead off the second and third innings. Infante moved his career total to a team-high 25 backed by six homers in his last 12 games.

The Razorbacks produced a season-high 22 hits and scored in six different innings. Eight Arkansas players produced multiple hits including Heston Kjerstad (4-for-6, RBI) and Optiz (4-for-5, 3 RBIs) who added four apiece. Trevor Ezell (3-for-6) collected three hits and added three RBIs.

Vanderbilt starter Patrick Raby lasted three innings, permitting nine hits and five runs. Hugh Fisher went two innings and allowed three runs on four hits. Jake Eder pitched two scoreless frames before allowing a run in the eighth. Brown allowed five runs on four hits in one inning of work.

The Commodores return to action on Tuesday, hosting Indiana State at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available for just $7 by visiting VUCommodores.com or by calling (615) 322-4653. The contest will cap a four-game homestand for the Dores who return to SEC play Friday at Alabama.

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