No. 7 Arkansas jumped on Tarleton State in the top of the first and then went on to a 3-1 win on Monday in the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
While Arkansas' bats were silent after the first inning when they jumped out to a 3-0 lead a trio of Arkansas pitchers, including two true freshmen, were outstanding. Vanderbilt transfer Ethan McElvain pitched 2.2 innings in relief to get the win. Former Batesville and Fayetteville righty Mark Brissey got the save. Maumelle's Peyton Lee started and went 4.1 innings in his Razorback debut.
The trio of Arkansas pitchers combined to allow six hits, one run, earned, only two walks and struck out 13. McElwain allowed just one hit and struck out five. Lee gave up four hits, one run, walked one and fanned five. Brissey surrendered just one hit, walked a hitter and struck out three.
In the top of the first, Damian Ruiz singled to center field to start the game. Ryder Helfrick walked and then Cam Kozeal singled to load the bases with no outs. Maika Niu then reached on an infield single to third that plated Ruiz. Niu then was called out at second base. Reese Robinett grounded out to shortstop that allowed Helfrick to score. Nolan Souza reached on a fielder's choice that got Kozeal home. Then Souza was out attempting to steal second.
Tarleton State got to Lee in the bottom of the fifth. With one out, Kendyl Johnson tripled past Christian Turner in right field. Johnson then doubled to left field to plate Johnson and end Lee's day. McElvain got a ground out and strike out to end the inning and threat.
Robinett doubled in both the sixth and eighth innings, but both times was left stranded on base. Niu and Robinett each had two hits to lead the Hogs. Ruiz, Kozeal and TJ Pompey had the other three Arkansas hits. The Razorbacks stranded six runners.
Tarleton State put together a threat in the bottom of the eighth off Brissey. After Brissey struck out the first hitter, he gave up a bunt single to catcher Brady Englett. However, Brissey had an outstanding pickoff move to get Englett. After Cage McCloud got a two-out walk, Brissey got Sergio Guerra to pop up to Kozeal at second. Brissey retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth,
Tarleton State (3-1) had four pitchers take the mound with starter Daniel Bass working two innings and taking the loss. Bass gave up the three Arkansas runs, allowed the three hits, walked two and fanned a pair. Carson Lorch had two hits to lead the offensive attack for Tarleton State.
Karsen Davis, Aden Lucas and Anthony Treto worked out of the bullpen for Tarleton State. The three combined to work seven scoreless innings, walking no Razorbacks and struck out five.
Arkansas (3-1) will now open their homestand with three games against Xavier beginning Friday at 3 p.m., Saturday 1 p.m. and Sunday noon. The Musketeers opened the season with a pair of wins in three games at East Carolina. They will face Louisville on Tuesday at 3 p.m. before heading to Fayetteville.