FAYETTEVILLE -- On Friday at Baum-Walker Stadium, Arkansas didn't look like the No. 6 team in the country as they fell to Texas-Arlington 4-3.
The Razorbacks were dominated by UTA right-handed pitcher Caylon Duggert who worked 8.2 innings throwing 130 pitches to get the win. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth and UTA leading 4-0 Duggert got Camden Kozeal to hit a grounder to first baseman Noah Fields that should have ended the game, but when he booted the ball the Hogs tried to rally.
That marked the end of the day for Duggert with reliever Hayes Mehlville coming on to pitch. Ryder Helfrick, who had walked, went to third on the play. Kuhio Aloy then hit a deep ball to the warning track that scored Helfrick and Kozeal. Reese Robinett then doubled to plate Kozeal. But when Maika Niu grounded out to third base the Razorbacks came one run short. Dave Van Horn praised Duggert after the game.
"He was incredible," Van Horn said. "He didn't leave anything up in the zone. Fast ball away and breaking ball away."
Duggert (1-0) got the win. He allowed two hits, two unearned runs, walked two and struck out 11. Melville picked up his first save of the season. He allowed two hits and one run in 0.1 inning on the mound.
UTA jumped on starter Gabe Gaeckle (1-1) in the top of the first. Gaeckle gave up a double, single and then another double against the first three batters. Preston Knott scored on the Zach Mazoch double advancing Xavier Melendez to third. Xander McAfee then hit a sacrifice fly to center field. Melendez scored and Mazoch advanced to third. Mazoch was gunned down at home when third baseman TJ Pompey threw to catcher Helfrick who applied the tag after Pompey fielded the ball hit by Noah Fields cleanly.
UTA added two more runs in the top of the sixth when Harold Laracuente singled followed by a blast over the fence by Austin Phillips. That marked the end for Gaeckle. He worked 5.1 innings, allowed eight hits, four runs, all earned, two walks and struck out five.
Cole Gibler was outstanding in 3.2 innings of work. He allowed just one hit and struck out five while not walking any hitters.
Arkansas (7-3) and Texas Arlington (3-6) will play again at 2 p.m. Saturday; The game can be streamed on the SEC Network+.
