By Otis Kirk
FAYETTEVILLE -- No. 5 Arkansas won its 14th game in a row on Tuesday with a 12-2 run-rule victory over Southeast Missouri State.
The win wrapped up an 18-game homestand. The Hogs only used three regular starters on Tuesday as Dave Van Horn took the opportunity to give some reserves key playing time. Arkansas only had a 2-1 lead entering the bottom of the sixth when they erupted for 10 runs.
Ben Bybee (2-0) got the start and worked four innings allowing one hit, a run, walked three and struck out five. Zack Morris worked the final three innings and got his second save of the season. Morris allowed three hits, a run, walked on and struck out five.
One of the reserves who got the start was first baseman Reese Robinett. He went 2 for 4 with a home run and RBI. His solo home run in the bottom of the fourth gave the Hogs a 2-1 lead they never relinquished. He talked about what it was like getting his first home run in an Arkansas uniform.
"It felt great," Robinett said. "I felt comfortable in the box. My second and third at bat for sure. My first and fourth, you know, a little tough."
Robinett is a freshman from Kennett (Mo.). and is nicknamed Big Country. He talked about how that name came about.
"That started back in the fall," Robinett said. "It was just kind of a joke. They always thought I lived in the middle of nowhere or something. Coach Van Horn called me that one day at practice and it just kind of stuck."
Robinett has now played in six games with three starts. He's hitting .333 with the one home run and has knocked in three runs. He talked about how he stays sharp only playing sparingly.
"You just have to keep your confidence high," Robinette said. "Move on to the next at bat. If something doesn’t go right just move on to the next at bat."
The Hogs sent 13 hitters to the plate in the sixth forcing the Redhawks to change pitchers three times. They used six in the game with Esteban Hernandez (0-1) taking the loss. He worked three innings in relief of starter Eddie White. Hernandez allowed two hits and the Robinett home run. He struck out four and didn't walk anyone.
Harold Coll, who has been starting at third base recently, started at shortstop and gave John Bolton a day off. Coll went 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles and knocked in three runs. Jared Wegner also went 2 for 4 with a double and plated a pair of runs.
Robinett and Jayson Jones also each went 2 for 4. Jones knocked in a pair of runs. Hunter Grimes got the start in right field for Jace Bohrofen and had an RBI on the day.
SEMO left fielder Josh Cameron hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth.
Arkansas (19-2, 3-0) will hit the road this weekend for SEC play against LSU (18-2, 2-1). Friday's game will start at 7 p.m. and be televised on ESPN2. Saturday's game starts at 1 p.m. and will be on the SEC Network. On Sunday, the Hogs and LSU begin at noon on ESPN.
Photos Courtesy of John Jones
