FAYETTEVILLE -- No. 6 Arkansas was trailing UCA 2-1 heading to bottom of fifth, but erupted for 10 runs in the sixth and four more in seventh to take a 15-2 run-rule win at Baum-Walker Stadium before an announced crowd of 9.623.
Arkansas (19-7) appeared lifeless against UCA starter Jacob Pannell (0-2) as he limited the Razorbacks to one run, a solo home run by Zach Stewart, and two hits in the first four innings. But the first five hitters reached base on him in the bottom of the fifth. He was replaced by Jake Jones, but he didn't retire anyone before giving way to Austin Jones. JB Williams pitched the final 1.2 innings for UCA. Dave Van Horn credited Stewart's home run was really big for the Hogs.
"I think the game changed a little bit when Stewart hit the home run opposite field," Van Horn said. "He really hit it well. I thought Pannell pitched really well against us. He gave them four really efficient innings."
The big hit for Arkansas in the bottom of the fifth was a grand slam by third baseman TJ Pompey. The Texas Tech transfer hit a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth to end with two hits, five runs batted in and a pair of walks. Pompey was pleased to have the big game.
"I was seeing [the ball] pretty good today," Pompey said.
Pompey walked his first two times at bat and he felt that get him in a position to have a good day at the plate later.
"I think that going me going rest of the game," Pompey said. "My whole thing in the game was don't chase anything. I waited for my pitches and had good swings."
Van Horn was obviously pleased with the pair of home runs by Pompey, but it was how he started the fifth inning that impressed the Hogs coach the most.
"I just felt like that was started by TJ in the hole who took a 3-2 pitch and walked," Van Horn said. "Then we scored 10 runs before we made an out."
Carter Rutenbar entered the game in the bottom of the fifth for Kuhio Aloy, who struck out his only two times at the plate, and the true freshman immediately hit an RBI double off the fence. In his next at bat, Rutenbar unloaded on a pitch and sent it over the fence in right field for three more runs.
Maika Niu and Stewart each knocked in a pair of runs and Damian Ruiz had the other RBI. The Razorbacks finished with 10 hits in the game with Niu, Rutenbar, Pompey and Camden Kozeal finishing with two each. Stewart and Ruiz had the other two hits.
In the 10-run fifth inning, Arkansas had six hits and drew five walks. Peyton Lee got the start for Arkansas, but only lasted two innings. He was replaced by Parker Coil (1-0) who worked three innings giving up three hits, one walk and struck out a hitter. Mark Brissey pitched the sixth and hit the first batter he faced then struck out the next three, all looking at called third strikes. Tye Briscoe worked a perfect seventh inning striking out the side. The four Arkansas pitchers combined to hold UCA to five hits, walked two and fanned nine.
UCA scored the game's first run in the top of the second when Zeb Allen drew a walk to lead off. He stole second then scored on a two-out single by Jasper Schattler. Allen hit a solo home run in the top of the third. Allen scored both UCA runs in the game.
Arkansas will host SEC foe Florida for a three-game series this weekend with Friday's first game set to begin at 6 p.m. on the SEC Network+. UCA (13-12) will go home to host Austin Peay also at 6 p.m. Friday.