FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas can now focus entirely on Mississippi State and the final SEC series of the season.

The Razorbacks disposed of Mississippi Valley State 12-3 Monday in the makeup of an April 2 rainout. The Delta Devils (17-24 ) proved to be only a minor distraction, although they did grab a 2-0 lead.

Arkansas (32-20 ) surpassed Mississippi Valley State with seven runs in the second before Aaron Murphree added a threerun home run in the fourth to put the Razorbacks ahead 11-3. Logan Forsythe had three hits, while Murphree and Chase Leavitt each had three RBI to lead Arkansas.

Mississippi Valley State used eight pitchers, while Arkansas sent five to the mound. Sam Murphy (2-2 ) earned the victory by holding the Delta Devils to two runs in three innings.

“We needed to win, and we got to throw some guys who needed to pitch,” Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said. “We saw some other guys get some at-bats who hadn’t played in a while. This will get them ready in case we need them this weekend.” Arkansas will carry a fivegame winning streak into the final series at Mississippi State, which will be played on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The Razorbacks’ challenge is to hold onto the eighth and final spot for the SEC Tournament, which begins May 21 at Hoover, Ala.

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Arkansas improved its standing with a sweep over South Carolina, and the Razorbacks will likely have to win two games to advance to the SEC Tournament for the seventh consecutive season. Mississippi State is mired in last place in the SEC, but the Bulldogs could put up a fight in the final three games for longtime MSU Coach Ron Polk, who announced his resignation earlier this season.

“I’ve always known about Ron Polk and Mississippi State, and it seems like he’s been coaching forever,” Van Horn said. “It’ll be an emotional weekend for his players, and they’re going to want to win for him. Hopefully, our team can just stay focused and play well.” Arkansas started its usual lineup Monday with the exception of Andrew Darr in right field and Jacob House at first base. Murphree connected for his team-leading 14 th home run of the season, while serving as a designated hitter, but only his second in SEC play. Brett Eibner, who normally starts in center field, pitched two scoreless innings in relief.

Mississippi Valley State pitchers walked nine Hogs, and the Delta Devils committed the lone error on the day when Brandon Dotson dropped a fly ball in left.

“We had that one bad inning in the second, and when you walk people, they’re going to score,” Mississippi Valley State Coach Sim Shanks said. “Our pitchers are in this setting and they think these [SEC ] hitters are Babe Ruth. We ought to be over that, but we’ve still got a couple of guys who make everybody better than they are.” The Razorbacks will lift weights today before heading to Starkville, Miss., on Wednesday for Thursday’s series opener at 6: 30 at Dudy Noble Field.

“It was kind of a grind today but we did what was needed to,” Forsythe said. “We got the win, and now we can get ready for Mississippi State.”