NCAA Baseball

Arkansas uses hot start to beat Missouri 6-3

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/MICHAEL WOODS -- 05/01/2012 -- University of Arkansas pitcher Nolan Sanburn fires a pitch in the first inning of Tuesday evening's game against Missouri at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville.

— No. 18 Arkansas rode a hot start to defeat Missouri 6-3 in the first game of a midweek series Tuesday at Baum Stadium.

Nolan Sanburn started the game by pitching a perfect first inning and the Arkansas offense backed him up in the home half of the inning. Tim Carver led-off with a single and another single from Jacob Mahan moved Carver to third. A RBI sacrifice fly by Dominic Ficociello then gave Arkansas an early 1-0 lead.

Even though Arkansas’ sophomore right-hander had some location issues and walked two batters in the second inning, he allowed just one hit in four innings pitched and struck out seven batters to earn his third win of the season.

Arkansas (32-13) extended its lead to 5-0 with a four-run third inning. Mahan walked to begin the inning and Matt Reynolds singled to put on two runners for Bo Bigham. The senior second baseman reached on a fielder’s choice and Mahan scored on an error. Derrick Bleeker followed the error with a two-run triple and freshman catcher John Clay Reeves hit a RBI single to score Bleeker to complete the scoring in the inning.

Bleeker was not finished scoring, however. The junior outfielder doubled to begin the inning and Jacob Morris hit a RBI double to score him in the sixth inning and extend the Arkansas lead to 6-0. Bleeker finished 3-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs.

Ty Wright entered the game in the fifth inning and pitched three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three batters.

Chris Oliver followed him and threw three wild pitches in his 1/3 of an inning and allowed two runs. Brandon Moore replaced Oliver in the eighth and finished the game for the Razorbacks. Moore allowed a pinch-hit, lead-off double to start the ninth and Munson later scored on a RBI fielder’s choice to cut the lead to 6-3. Missouri (23-20) was unable to cut into the lead any further.

Arkansas and Missouri will finish their last midweek series before the Tigers officially join the Southeastern Conference tomorrow at 3:05. Junior left-hander Trent Daniel will start for the Razorbacks while the right-handed John Miles will be on the mound for Missouri.