SEC BASEBALL

Hogs sweep Tide from Fayetteville

Arkansas second baseman Bo Bigham turns a double play at second over Alabama’s Jared Reaves during Sunday’s game at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville.

— Arkansas completed a three-game sweep Sunday with plenty of help from Alabama.

The Razorbacks built a five-run lead after three innings and defeated Alabama 7-4 before 6,836 fans at Baum Stadium. Jimmy Bosco, Matt Reynolds and Bo Bigham each had two hits for No. 4 Arkansas (19-2, 3-0), which increased its winning streak to nine consecutive games.

Nolan Sanburn (2-1) got the victory over Trey Pilkington (0-2), who pitched one inning and allowed 4 runs on 7 hits.

Arkansas took advantage as the level of Alabama’s play went down considerably after the Tide (8-12, 0-3) lost 4-3 in 12 innings on Friday. Arkansas received nine walks while winning 8-4 on Saturday then was handed seven more walks while completing the sweep on Sunday.

In three games, Alabama pitchers combined to walk 28 Razorbacks batters and the Tide committed 3 of their 5 errors in Sunday’s final game.

“(Sunday) was a total breakdown, especially in the first three innings,” Alabama Coach Mitch Gaspard said. “It was 6-1 before you could really get comfortable. We’ve got a long way to go, but I was very impressed with Arkansas. They have a tremendous team.”

The Razorbacks were up 3-0 in the second inning when Jacob Morris led off with a double and Tim Carver reached on a throwing error by catcher Ben Moore. Carver swung at strike three from pitcher Pilkington then hesitated when the ball went into the dirt. Moore had an easy throw to first base but he bounced it to Austen Smith, who couldn’t make the scoop.

Arkansas loaded the bases with no outs when Pilkington was lackadaisical in fielding a bunt by Jimmy Bosco. Justin Kamplain relieved Pilkington, and got Dominic Ficociello to bounce into a double play, but Morris scored to make it 4-0.

Arkansas did not make an error, thanks mostly to Ficociello, who had a standout series on defense while scooping up several throws at first base.

“We made some really nice plays and took care of the baseball,” Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said. “That was the difference in the game. There was a couple of mistakes early that hurt them. We played a full game and kept coming at them.”

Arkansas scored three runs on five hits off Pilkington in the first. Consecutive singles by Bosco, Ficociello, and Matt Reynolds produced Arkansas’ first run before Sam Bates added to the lead with a sacrifice fly. Bo Bigham and Matt Vinson followed with singles to put the Razorbacks ahead 3-0.

The Razorbacks added one run in the second and two more in the third inning to lead 6-1. Arkansas starter Randall Fant was on pace to get the victory, but he left in the fifth inning while being charged with 3 runs on 7 hits. Sanburn took over and picked up the victory while allowing 1 hit and 1 run in 22/3 innings.

Barrett Astin retired the side in order in the ninth inning to earn his sixth save.

“He hadn’t pitched in a couple of weeks and we had him on a pitch count,” Van Horn said of Sanburn, who faced nine batters. “He had good velocity around the plate and he had a good breaking ball. He’s been sharper but he threw very well.”

The Razorbacks will face Nevada in nonconference games on Tuesday and Wednesday before returning to SEC play with consecutive three-game series at Mississippi State and LSU.

SUN BELT ARKANSAS STATE 8, UALR 4

JONESBORO - Arkansas State used five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to overcome a 3-0 deficit in a victory Sunday against UALR at Tomlinson Stadium.

The victory gave the Red Wolves (11-8, 3-0 Sun Belt Conference) a series sweep against the Trojans (13-8, 0-3), who jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-run single from designated hitter Nick Rountree.

Left fielder Sean Bignall made it 3-0 with his RBI triple in the third inning.

ASU opened the bottom of the fourth with consecutive walks and right fielder Collin Massanelli hit a single to score first baseman Zach George. Catcher Ryan Roberts, who went 3 of 4, then brought in Logan Uxa and Massanelli to tie it at 3-3.

The Red Wolves went ahead for good on shortstop Dustin Jones’ squeeze bunt, and Roberts scored later in the inning on a balk for a 5-3 lead.

The Red Wolves added three more runs in the seventh to cap the scoring.

Junior Seth McWilliams took the victory for the Red Wolves, allowing two hits with no walks in four innings. Senior Brandon Farley earned the save.

SOUTHLAND MCNEESE STATE 6, CENTRAL ARKANSAS 5

LAKE CHARLES, La. - Central Arkansas was swept on Sunday by McNeese State at Cowboy Diamond.

The Bears (8-9, 3-3 Southland Conference) trailed 6-2 going into the ninth inning but junior Logan Moon hit a three-run home run to cut the lead to 6-5.

McNeese State reliever Tyler Erickson walked Forrestt Allday before he was replaced by Ryan Sampere. Sampere walked pinch-hitter Garrett Brown before getting the final two outs on a fielder’s choice and a fly out to end the game.

Ryan Angus recorded seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings for UCA.

Up next

NEVADA AT ARKANSAS

WHEN Tuesday and Wednesday

WHERE Baum Stadium

RECORDS Nevada 10-8, Arkansas 19-2

RADIO RSP statewide radio network.

Not all games will be carried by affiliates.

Check local listings.

Sports, Pages 13 on 03/19/2012