The opener of a series featuring two of the SEC's top teams was one-sided from the outset Friday.
No. 12 Auburn scored five runs in the first inning en route to a 15-2 win over No. 14 Arkansas in front of 3,472 at Plainsman Park. The teams are scheduled to play again Saturday at 1 p.m.
The Tigers (26-11, 11-5 SEC) hit three home runs and recorded 15 hits. Every Auburn starter recorded at least one hit and scored at least one run in the Tigers' most lopsided win of the season.
Arkansas starter Blaine Knight had his worst outing of the season as he allowed 7 earned runs on 8 hits and 4 walks in 2 1/3 innings. Knight allowed six hits - including two doubles and a three-run home run by Daniel Robert - during a 27-pitch first inning that included a walk and a wild pitch.
The Razorbacks (31-9, 11-5) stranded the bases loaded in the top of the first, but pulled within 5-2 in the third on consecutive two-out RBI singles from Carson Shaddy and Eric Cole. Arkansas finished with nine hits and stranded 10.
Auburn broke the game open with eight runs in the bottom of the third to chase Knight. The big inning was capped by Josh Anthony's first career home run off Arkansas reliever Angus Denton to give the Tigers a 13-2 lead.
Dylan Ingram added a two-run homer off Denton in the fifth inning. Denton, a freshman right-hander primarily used in spot relief, allowed 5 runs on 7 hits and struck out 5 in a career-long 5 2/3 innings.
Auburn starter Keegan Thompson - pitching a day early because the Tigers' usual Friday starter Casey Mize was held out with arm soreness - struck out 7 in 6 innings to earn his fifth win. Calvin Coker pitched three innings to earn his first save.
Arkansas had a six-game win streak snapped. The 13-run loss was the Razorbacks' worst this year and tied for the most lopsided SEC loss in coach Dave Van Horn's 15 seasons.