COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Senior Aaron Murphree couldn’t remember before Friday the last time he was at bat in the ninth inning with a chance to win a game.

He’s knows about one now, and it’s something he’ll remember for a long time.

Murphree hit a two-run home run with one out in the ninth inning to give Arkansas a 9-8 victory over Louisiana Tech in the opening game of the Aggie Classic at Olsen Field. Murphree’s drive to center field came on the first pitch from reliever Aaron Lorio, who entered the game after Jamey Bradshaw walked freshman Brett Eibner with one out.

Murphree’s home run silenced a group of Louisiana Tech fans standing in anticipation of a victory and started a rush of Arkansas players onto the field to congratulate Murphree.

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Arkansas (5-0 ) remained undefeated while handing Louisiana Tech (6-1 ) its first loss of the season.

“Aaron Murphree just keeps making so many strides,” said Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn, who pumped his fist after seeing Murphree’s high fly drop behind the fence in center field. “He’s a gamer who really does better against outside competition than he does in practice. That’s a good sign because a lot of guys can’t do that.”

Murphree is hitting. 444 and has started every game after playing in only 16 games last season. Besides the home run, he had an RBI double in the seventh inning after Louisiana Tech intentionally walked Eibner to get to him. Murphree was 0 for 3 before that at-bat and hit into a double play.

“It’s always a little bit of an insult when people walk somebody to get to you,” said Murphree, who transferred to Arkansas last season from Northeast Texas Community College. “In the ninth, I read on the scouting report that [Lorio ] has a good fastball and I thought he might challenge me with it. That’s exactly what happened, and I was able to get a good swing on it.”

Murphree’s home run provided an exciting finish to a game with several lead changes. Ryan Cisterna put Arkansas ahead 6-3 with a home run in the fourth, but Louisiana Tech closed the gap on a two-run home run by Chris Kersten in the sixth inning. Louisiana Tech took an 8-7 lead with three runs in the eighth, highlighted by a two-run single from Matt Combs.

Louisiana Tech led 3-2 before Eibner put Arkansas ahead with a two-run bloop single into center field in the fifth.

Ben Tschepikow had three hits to lead Arkansas. Murphree and Logan Forsythe had two hits each.

Arkansas made three of the four errors in the game, and the teams used a combined eight pitchers, including five by the Razorbacks.

“It wasn’t a real pretty game, but it was fun and I’m glad our guys get to enjoy it,” Van Horn said. “This team is kind of quiet, but they showed some emotion and that was good to see.”

Arkansas will play host Texas A&M at 6: 30 tonight. Louisiana Tech and Ohio State will play at 12: 30 p. m.