Wednesday's scheduled game ended with shortstop Nolan Souza hitting a two-out, three-run home run over the fence in center field to give the Hogs a run-rule win. Souza has struggled at the plate this season and the seventh-inning blast was his only hit of the game. He had moved over from second base to shortstop late in the second game. His home run plated Carson Boles and Rocco Peppi, who had both walked. Dave Van Horn was pleased to get the two wins.
"With the winds and temperatures it was good not to drag that (Tuesday's game) on," Van Horn said. "Today's game I thought offensively we did a really good job laying off borderline pitches early in the count. We took some balls. We walked 13 times and got hit by maybe three pitches and some errors."
With the wind blowing out on Wednesday the home runs were flying out of Baum-Walker. The Razorbacks scored their 15 runs on nine hits. The Hogs drew 13 walks from the seven ULM pitchers and hit four home runs. ULM committed two errors. ULM's Joey Cerelli (0-3) took the loss. He was second pitcher to the mound. He allowed one hit, four runs and struck out one.
On the other hand, three Arkansas pitchers only allowed five hits, walked one and struck out six. Ben Bybee got the start and worked 4.0 innings to earn the win. He allowed five hits, three runs, walked one and struck out two. He was followed to the mound by Tate McGuire and Will McEntire. McGuire and McEntire combined to pitch three innings allowing no hits, runs or walks. Each struck out two.
The Hogs took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. A two-run home run by ULM's Jacob Billings provided the visitors with a 2-1 lead in the top of the second. In the bottom of the second the Hogs took the lead again. Wehiwa Aloy hit a double to plate Charles Davalan. Kuhio Aloy then knocked in his brother with a single putting the Razorbacks up 3-2.
After ULM tied the game at 3 in the top of the third Davalan hit a grand slam giving the Hogs a 7-3 lead for good. Arkansas got a solo home run from Kendall Diggs in the bottom of the fourth for an 8-3 lead. In the bottom of the fifth, the Hogs got four more runs highlighted by a three-run blast by Kuhio Aloy for a 12-3 lead. It stayed that way until Souza ended it in the bottom of the seventh.
In the conclusion of Tuesday's game that was halted by rain and lightning in the bottom of the seventh it ended quickly on Wednesday. Arkansas was up 10-1 with runners on second and third with no outs when the game was postponed until 2 p.m. Wednesday.
When the game resumed Wehiwa Aloy grounded out to second for the first out. ULM then walked Logan Maxwell intentionally to set up a potential double play. Kuhio Aloy had other ideas though as he send a grand slam over the fence to give the Hogs a 14-1 win.
Cam Kozeal, Brent Iredale and Ryder Helfrick also hit home runs in the game. Colin Fisher (1-0) worked 3.0 innings to take the win. Dylan Carter, Aiden Jimenez and Cole Gibler also worked out the bullpen. The four combined to allow six hits, the one run, two walks and struck out 12.
ULM starter Brandon Eagen (1-1) took the loss. He worked 3.0 innings allowing five hits, three runs, walked one and fanned a trio. In all ULM sent five pitchers to the mound. They allowed 15 hits, struck out six and walked four.
Arkansas (12-1) will host Portland (5-8) for a three-game series this weekend. Friday's first pitch will be at 3 p.m. and can be streamed on the SEC Network+.
Photos: Craven Whitlow
