FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas' four-game win streak came to an abrupt halt Saturday night at Baum Stadium.
The Razorbacks gave up 10 runs over the first three innings in a 16-4 loss to Kentucky. The teams will play the rubber game of the three-game series Sunday at noon.
Game Sketch
Line Score: Kentucky 16-15-3; Arkansas 4-7-1
Records: Kentucky 19-14, 5-8 SEC; Arkansas 19-16, 6-8 SEC
WP: Dustin Beggs (4-2)
LP: Dominic Taccolini (5-3)
Turning Point: The Wildcats' first five batters reached base during a three-run first inning.
Notable: Arkansas has split its first two games in four consecutive SEC series.
Attendance: 6,145
Arkansas starter Dominic Taccolini gave up eight runs in just 2 2/3 innings. Taccolini also walked four and hit a batter as the Wildcats quickly built an insurmountable lead.
Kentucky's first five batters reached base in a three-run first inning. The Wildcats chased Taccolini during a seven-run third inning, which was capped by Ka'ai Tom's three-run double to give Kentucky a 10-run lead.
An error by Connor Heady allowed Clark Eagan to score in the sixth inning, breaking up the shutout, but the Razorbacks still trailed 13-1.
After giving up another three runs in the seventh - including a two-run home run by JaVon Shelby - to fall behind 16-1, Arkansas faced its worst loss ever at Baum Stadium. However, an RBI ground out by Luke Bonfield and another Wildcats error helped the Razorbacks plate another two runs.
An RBI single by Carson Shaddy in the ninth capped the scoring for Arkansas.
Kentucky starter Dustin Beggs went eight innings and gave up only one earned run on five hits while striking out six batters.
Arkansas' six pitchers combined for 11 walks and five hit batsmen. Half of their 204 pitches were called balls.
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