By Otis Kirk

Arkansas' Maika Niu had four hits and knocked in as many runs while Ethan McElvain came in to close the game out with the Razorbacks defeating Missouri State 9-5 at Hoglund Park in the Lawrence Regional Friday evening.

Arkansas had to rally from a 3-0 deficit to get the win, but used a six-run fifth inning to take lead and never surrendered it. Arkansas exploded in the fifth after getting Missouri State starter Max Knight out of the game. Dave Van Horn was pleased with how his team fought to stay in and then take control of the game.

"A really, really good job," Van Horn said. "It didn't start out real good. All the momentum over there. You held strong."

Gabe Gaeckle struggled in his start. He gave up a leadoff home run to Bryce Cermenelli to start the game. Cermenelli went 3 for 3 in the game and walked twice to reach base all five times he was up. The Bears added another run in the first with a two-out single by Taeg Gollert, who then stole second. He scored on Caden Bogenpohl's single to center field. The Bears added another run in the top of the fourth off Gaeckle.

Nolan Souza gave Arkansas its first run of the game when he delivered a two-out single in the bottom of the fourth. He stole second and then scored on Niu's first hit of the game. Niu walked in the second inning before reeling off four consecutive hits.

"Gaeckle found a way to give us four innings," Van Horn said. "That was huge. (Steele) Eaves came in and did a good job. McElvain came in and finished it up. A lot of good at bats in the middle of the game. The guys weathered the storm and did a nice job. A great win tonight."

In the bottom of the fifth, Missouri State replaced Knight with Brock Lucas (6-6) who ended up the losing pitcher. Damian Ruiz greeted Lucas with a single to center field. Camden Kozeal then walked. Ryder Helfrick then delivered a double to deep right field that plated Ruiz to pull the Hogs within 3-2. Zack Stewart, facing his old team, then grounded out to first, but it was enough to allow Kozeal to score from third base. TJ Pompey then singled to plate Helfrick and give the Hogs a 4-3 lead with just one out.

Lucas walked Souza. That was all for Lucas. Missouri State went to Tyler Charlton. He immediately allowed a double to Niu to allow Pompey to score for 5-3 lead. Carter Rutenbar then walked to load the bases. Reese Robinett singled to right field allowing Souza to score. Ruiz then delivered his second hit of the inning getting Niu home for the 7-3 lead. Ruiz got his second hit off of Owen Slater.

The Razorbacks added another run in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Stewart singled. Pompey followed with a walk. Niu then delivered a two-out RBI single to push Arkansas' lead to 8-3.

Missouri State made one last push against Parker Coil and the Razorbacks in the top of the eighth. Coil walked Jackson Beaman, a pinch hitter. After retiring a hitter, Missouri State knocked Coil out of the game with back-to-back singles. That brought McElvain into the game. Curry Sutherland greeted McElvain with a double making it 8-5. But that was as close as it would get.

In the bottom of the eighth, Pompey reached on a fielder's choice. He stole second. Then, with two outs, Niu delivered a double to plate Pompey finishing out the scoring.

McElvain shut the Bears down in order in the top of the night. He worked 1.2 innings to earn his sixth save of the season. He allowed one hit and struck out a hitter. Eaves (6-1) replaced Gaeckle to pitch the fifth and sixth innings earning the win. He allowed just one hit, walked one, fanned a hitter and hit another.

Gaeckle worked four innings. He allowed five hits, three runs, walked a trio and struck out seven Bears. Coil pitched 1.1 innings allowing three hits, two runs, walking one and striking out a pair.

For the game, Arkansas had 12 hits and left 11 runners on base. They drew nine walks from Missouri State's pitchers who struck out the Hogs 10 times. Missouri State finished with 10 hits and stranded a dozen runners. Arkansas' pitchers combined to strike out 11 while only walking five.

Arkansas (40-20) will now starter Hunter Dietz on Saturday at 5 p.m. against host Kansas. The Jayhawks (43-16) defeated Northeastern 6-3 in the early game on Friday. Missouri State (34-20) and Northeastern (38-21) will play in an elimination game Saturday at noon.