FAYETTEVILLE -- No. 6 Arkansas bounced back from losing to Arkansas State on Tuesday to taking a 1-0 win on Wednesday before an announced crowd of 9,122 fans at Baum-Walker Stadium.
A trio of Arkansas pitchers combined to hold the same lineup that pounded out 12 runs and 14 hits on Tuesday to just one hit on Wednesday. Then lone run in the game was scored in the bottom of the first when Ryder Helfrick drew a one-out walk. He advanced to second on a pickoff attempt by Arkansas State starter Collin Mahoney that ended up in the bleachers. Reese Robinett then walked and Kuhio Aloy singled to center field plating Helfrick.
Steele Eaves (3-0) was the second Arkansas pitcher and picked up the win. He worked 2.2 innings walking one and striking out four. James DeCremer got the start and pitched 3.2 innings allowing the lone hit, a double in the top of the fourth by Patrick Engskov. DeCremer struck out three hitters. Parker Coil earned the save working the final 2.2 innings. Coil fanned six hitters, walked two including one intentionally. The trio of Arkansas pitchers combined to strike out 13 hitters while walking three and allowing the one hit.
Coil said the Hogs were focused today after losing big on Tuesday.
"We got our ass kicked yesterday," Coil said. "We had the attitude today we've got to hold them down. A credit to our staff to come out and do what we did today."
Coil was asked which pitches he had working for him?
"Honestly, a little bit of everything," Coil said. "My cutter was going early and my slider was obviously working well. As the game went on I started to find my heater a little more."
Arkansas State used Mahoney and then five relievers out of the bullpen. Ryan Ashford, Tyler Weimer, Kole Turner, Isaac Sewell and Jelle van der Lelie combined with Mahoney to allow the one run, seven hits, struck out seven and walked six including one intentionally.
Robinett and Maika Niu each had two hits for Arkansas. Aloy, Zack Stewart and Christian Turner had one hit each. Arkansas was missing several players with illness in this series including Camden Kozeal Wednesday.
Arkansas (7-2) will host Texas-Arlington for a three-game series this weekend. The Friday game starts at 3 p.m. Saturday 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. All three games can be streamed on the SEC Network+.
Arkansas State (6-3) will host Arkansas-Pine Bluff for three games this weekend. Friday's game starts at 3 p.m., Saturday 2 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m.
