Razorback junior pitcher Will McEntire (#41) from Bryant, AR looks for the sign from his catcher during their game against Wright State Saturday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, AR.
Oliver Grigg
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. 8 Arkansas (8-2) blasted three home runs and overpowered Wright State (2-7), 12-6, to clinch its second consecutive weekend series win on Saturday at Baum-Walker Stadium.
Peyton Stovall and Jared Wegner each homered for the third consecutive game, and true freshman Jayson Jones clobbered his second career home run in the Hogs’ series-clinching win. The Razorback offense pounded the Raider pitching staff for 14 total hits, as seven Arkansas batters finished the ballgame with multiple base knocks.
Stovall’s solo homer in the bottom of the first set the tone offensively. Arkansas would score twice in the frame, tack on five more runs in the second and bring home two more in the third, opening 9-1 advantage entering the fourth inning.
Jace Bohrofen and Caleb Cali both recorded RBI singles in the early offensive onslaught. Bohrofen’s biggest contribution of the day, however, came on the defensive side of the baseball in the bottom of the second inning.
The Razorback captain timed his jump at the wall in right perfectly, robbing Wright State leadoff hitter Justin Riemer of a two-out grand slam. The game-changing catch prevented the Raiders from taking a 4-2 lead in the second and rescued Razorback starter Will McEntire from what would have been a shaky start.
With the defense behind him, McEntire went onto throw five strong innings and pick up his second win of the campaign. The right-hander fanned a season-high six, while allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits and three walks.
Wegner hit his third home run in as many games in the bottom of the third, clearing the wall in left center for his fifth homer of the young season. The graduate transfer from Creighton finished 2-for-3 with three runs scored, two RBI and a pair of walks, raising his team-leading slash line to .444/.563/.972 through 10 games this year.
The Kearney, Neb., native currently leads the Razorbacks in home runs (5) and RBI (18). He, along with Stovall, has hit a homer in each of the last three games: Illinois State (March 1), Wright State (March 3) and Wright State (March 4).
Stovall, meanwhile, finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored, improving his slash line to .353/.465/.676 for the season. The Razorback captain has hit three homers and racked up 10 RBI in nine games played this year.
Right-handed Austin Ledbetter was impressive in relief of McEntire with three scoreless innings on the mound. The Bryant, Ark., emerged from the bullpen and struck out two, allowing just one baserunner via a single in his outing.
Arkansas goes for its first series sweep of the season in tomorrow’s finale against Wright State. First pitch between the Razorbacks and Raiders is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at Baum-Walker Stadium on SEC Network+.
Photos Courtesy of Craven Whitlow CW3 Action Sports
Razorback graduate shortstop John Bolton (#9) from Memphis, TN throws for a putout from deep in the hole against Wright State Saturday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, AR.
Razorback sophomore second baseman Peyton Stovall (#10) from Haughton, LA tosses to second base to start a double play against Wright State Saturday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, AR.
Razorback head coach Dave Van Horn watches from the dugout during their game against Wright State Saturday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, AR.
Razorback freshman designated hitter Jayson Jones (#13) from Savannah, TX celebrates his homerun against Wright State Saturday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, AR.
