Razorbacks hammer Mississippi State in series opener

Arkansas pitcher Patrick Wicklander is shown during a game against Mississippi State on Friday, March 26, 2021, in Starkville, Miss. (Photo courtesy Mississippi State Athletics, via Pool)

STARKVILLE, Miss. — It had been more than five years since a game between two of the SEC’s perennial powers had gone the road team’s way.

That streak ended Friday night.

No. 2 Arkansas belted its way to its first win in Starkville since March 29, 2014, launching three first-inning home runs to top No. 4 Mississippi State 8-2 at Dudy Noble Field.

Center fielder Christian Franklin, who launched the third of the solo home runs in the opening inning, added another home run in the fourth to make it 4-0 Razorbacks and junior Patrick Wicklander turned in a solid outing in his first weekend start of the season.

Replacing Peyton Pallette in the rotation after throwing 5 1/3 innings in relief last weekend against Alabama, the left-handed Wicklander limited the Bulldogs to just 1 run on 2 hits over 5 innings as he worked his way around base runners in each of the first four innings.

Wicklander lowered his ERA to 2.33 as he kept Mississippi State hitless until the bottom of the fifth, but he escaped without further damage, striking out three-hole hitter Tanner Allen on a nasty breaking ball to end his night.

Arkansas (17-3, 3-1 SEC) didn’t wait long to get the bats going against Bulldogs ace Christian MacLeod, who entered the weekend with a 1.74 ERA and threw six innings of one-run ball at LSU last Friday.

After leadoff man Braydon Webb struck out, designated hitter Matt Goodheart launched a 3-2 pitch over the right-field bleachers to open the scoring. Cayden Wallace then followed with a solo home run of his own, sneaking it just beyond the wall in left center to give the Hogs a 2-0 lead.

Three pitches later, Franklin smashed an opposite-field liner onto the right-field plaza, making it 3-0 and giving Wicklander all the cushion he’d need.

And with the lefty cruising, Arkansas had a chance to break things open in the top of the fourth. Franklin smashed a second solo shot into the left field corner to give the Razorbacks a 4-0 lead before a pair of walks sandwiched around a Casey Opitz single loaded the bases with no outs.

But Jalen Battles ran Arkansas into a double play trying to tag up from first on a Robert Moore sacrifice fly, and Bulldogs reliever Stone Simmons struck out Webb one batter later to keep the deficit 5-0.

Mississippi State (17-5, 2-2) finally got on the board with a Rowdey Jordan RBI single in the bottom of the fifth before Pallette came on in relief of Wicklander to start the sixth inning.

Pallette began with three scoreless frames, holding the Bulldogs hitless on just 26 pitches — 22 of which were strikes — before allowing a run on two hits in the bottom of the ninth.

Goodheart and junior Brady Slavens added a pair of RBI singles in the seventh, stretching Arkansas’ lead to 7-1 and salting away the game’s final margin.

The Razorbacks will have the chance to claim a series victory Saturday at 2 p.m. Righty Zebulon Vermillion is set to take the bump as Arkansas will look to win a series in Starkville for the first time since 2012.

No road team has won a weekend series between Arkansas and Mississippi State since 2012. The home team swept the four previous series between 2016-19.

EARLIER

Arkansas 8, Mississippi State 2 — FINAL

Peyton Pallette struck out Kyte McDonald to end the game and strand two base runners. The Bulldogs stranded eight runners for the game.

Arkansas has won five straight, including three against SEC teams. The Razorbacks have allowed just nine hits during their three SEC wins.

Patrick Wicklander earned the win with a five-inning start during which he allowed one run. Pallette earned a four-inning save.

Tomorrow's game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., but don't be surprised if there is a game time adjustment because of a poor forecast later tomorrow in Starkville.

Arkansas 8, Mississippi State 2 — Bottom 9th Inning

Luke Hancock singled to lead off the bottom of the ninth and Brayland Skinner drew a two-out walk. Lane Forsythe's two-strike single to right field scored Hancock to prolong the game.

Mississippi State had two hits in the first eight innings. The Bulldogs have two hits in the ninth.

Arkansas 8, Mississippi State 1 — Middle 9th Inning

The Razorbacks stranded runners on the corners in the top of the ninth when Christian Franklin's fly ball didn't go far enough to advance the lead runner, and Cullen Smith struck out.

Peyton Pallette will pitch the ninth for the Razorbacks. He will face the Bulldogs' 5-6-7 hitters.

Arkansas 8, Mississippi State 1 — Top 9th Inning

Braydon Webb reached with a leadoff single, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on Brady Slavens' RBI single. It was a generous scoring decision. It could have been ruled an error on Mississippi State second baseman Scotty Dubrule who charged the ball and it went past him.

Cayden Wallace also drew a one-out walk prior to Slavens' at-bat. There are runners on the corners with one out for Christian Franklin, who has hit two homers tonight.

Arkansas 7, Mississippi State 1 — End 8th Inning

Peyton Pallette hit Tanner Allen with two outs, but Mississippi State failed to get a hit again in the eighth. Kamren James flied out to right field to end the inning.

Pallette has worked three scoreless for the Razorbacks and has only thrown 26 pitches (22 for strikes). It would not surprise to see the Razorbacks go back to him for the ninth.

Arkansas will send the top of the order to the plate in the top of the ninth, beginning with Braydon Webb.

Arkansas 7, Mississippi State 1 — Middle 8th Inning

Mississippi State went to the bullpen twice in the eighth. Riley Self appeared to injure himself two pitches into a one-out at-bat by Casey Opitz, and Cam Tullar replaced him.

Opitz walked on the split at-bat and was stranded when Tullar struck out Jalen Battles and Robert Moore swinging and looking, respectively.

Peyton Pallette will pitch the eighth for the Razorbacks. He has not allowed a base runner in two innings of work so far.

Arkansas 7, Mississippi State 1 — End 7th Inning

Mississippi State went down in order again in the seventh, all on groundouts. Peyton Pallette, a high school infielder, made a great stop on a comebacker off the bat of Lane Forsythe to end the inning.

It looked like Mississippi State might have a base runner with one out, but a replay review upheld the call on the field that Robert Moore threw out Brayland Skinner on a close play at first base.

Arkansas pitching has retired seven straight Bulldogs. Pallette has not allowed a base runner in two innings.

Arkansas 7, Mississippi State 1 — Middle 7th Inning

Christian Franklin struck out swinging at a 3-2 pitch to end the seventh, which stranded runners on the corners. The Razorbacks have stranded four tonight.

Arkansas is out-hitting Mississippi State 9-2. Peyton Pallette will pitch the bottom of the seventh after a strong sixth. The Bulldogs' 8-9-1 hitters are due up.

Arkansas 7, Mississippi State 1 — Top 7th Inning

Jalen Battles singled to lead off the seventh and Braydon Webb drew a one-out walk. Battles scored on Matt Goodheart's one-out RBI single up the middle, and Webb scored on Brady Slavens' two-out RBI single past the first baseman.

Cayden Wallace nearly hit a home run, but his long fly ball to right was caught at the warning track.

Arkansas 5, Mississippi State 1 — End 6th Inning

Peyton Pallette worked a 1-2-3 inning with some help from his defense. Christian Franklin made an outstanding diving catch to rob Kamren James of a leadoff hit, and Brady Slavens made a nice stop on an unassisted ground out by Luke Hancock for the second out.

Pallette struck out Logan Tanner with a good 82 mph curveball away for the final out, then showed some real emotion on his way back to the dugout.

Arkansas 5, Mississippi State 1 — Middle 6th Inning

The game is just zooming along. Stone Simmons struck out Christian Franklin and Casey Opitz, and got Cullen Smith to ground out in the top of the sixth. Simmons has retired all seven batters he has faced since relieving starter Christian MacLeod.

Franklin fell behind 0-2 but battled back to a full count to lead off the inning. He was called out looking at a good looking curveball.

Smith grounded out on the first pitch of his at-bat and Opitz struck out in three pitches. He swung at a 0-2 breaking pitch low in the zone.

Peyton Pallette will come on for Arkansas to pitch in the bottom of the sixth.

Patrick Wicklander's final line: 1 run, 2 hits, 4 walks, 3 strikeouts. He is the pitcher of record.

Arkansas 5, Mississippi State 1 — End 5th Inning

Patrick Wicklander struck out Tanner Allen to strand a base runner. The Bulldogs have left five on base through five innings.

Wicklander's night be over. His pitch count is at 92.

Arkansas 5, Mississippi State 1 — Bottom 5th Inning

Rowdey Jordan's two-out RBI single scored Lane Forsythe to give the Bulldogs their first run. Forsythe reached with a one-out single, which was the first hit allowed by Patrick Wicklander.

Arkansas 5, Mississippi State 0 — Middle 5th Inning

Arkansas went down in order in the fifth inning on three consecutive ground outs by Matt Goodheart, Cayden Wallace and Brady Slavens.

Arkansas 5, Mississippi State 0 — End 4th Inning

Patrick Wicklander gave up another free base by hitting Luke Hancock to lead off the fourth, but Hancock was erased when Logan Tanner hit into a 6-4-3 double play. Tanner grounded into the double play in the ninth pitch of his at-bat. He fouled off the four pitches before that.

The inning ended when Josh Hatcher flied out to deep left field.

Wicklander has thrown 74 pitches. He has allowed five base runners, but has not allowed a hit.

It would not surprise to see Arkansas give him one more inning, then go to the bullpen.

Arkansas 5, Mississippi State 0 — Middle 4th Inning

Braydon Webb fouled off a couple of pitches after getting ahead 3-1, and he was called out looking to end the half inning and strand Casey Opitz at third base.

Arkansas is out-hitting Mississippi State 6-0 so far. The Razorbacks have stranded two; the Bulldogs have stranded four.

Arkansas 5, Mississippi State 0 — Top 4th Inning

Following Christian Franklin's leadoff homer in the fourth, the Razorbacks loaded the bases with no outs on a Cullen Smith walk, a Casey Opitz infield single and a Jalen Battles walk.

Robert Moore hit a sacrifice fly to score Smith, but Battles was thrown out trying to advance to second base by center fielder Rowdey Jordan for the second out.

Christian MacLeod's night is over after 2 2/3 innings. He allowed five runs (at least) after entering the game with no runs allowed.

Stone Simmons, a right hander, inherits a runner at third base. He'll face Braydon Webb.

Arkansas 4, Mississippi State 0 — Top 4th Inning

Christian Franklin just crushed another home run to deep left field. That is his second home run today and the team's fourth.

Franklin's first home run was to opposite field. The second just barely went inside the foul pole.

Arkansas' hitters have had a tendency to hit well after a game off this year. Cayden Wallace did it at Louisiana Tech and Matt Goodheart did it in Game 2 of the Memphis series.

Franklin had Wednesday's game off and is 2 for 2 tonight.

Arkansas 3, Mississippi State 0 — End 3rd Inning

Patrick Wicklander issued another walk — his fourth — to lead off the third inning, but he worked around it with a couple of fly outs and a groundout.

Wicklander hasn't allowed a hit.

Arkansas 3, Mississippi State 0 — Middle 3rd Inning

Braydon Webb hit a leadoff single, but the Razorbacks went down in order the rest of the way. Matt Goodheart and Cayden Wallace flied out, and Brady Slavens struck out to end the top of the third.

Christian MacLeod has four strikeouts for the Bulldogs. His pitch count is at 54.

Arkansas 3, Mississippi State 0 — End 2nd Inning

Patrick Wicklander worked around two more walks in the bottom of the second. His command hasn't been bad, necessarily, but the strike zone is tight.

Wicklander's pitch count is already at 45, so the bullpen might get a lot of work tonight — more than is desirable in the first game.

Christian MacLeod retired Arkansas in order in the top of the inning, including two by strikeout.

Arkansas 3, Mississippi State 0 — End 1st Inning

Matt Goodheart and Cayden Wallace hit back-to-back home runs, and Christian Franklin added a two-out solo homer in the top of the first inning, and Patrick Wicklander worked around a one-out walk in the bottom of the inning.

This is a great start for the Razorbacks. Mississippi State, while capable, is not a great hitting team. An early lead like this puts pressure on the home team.

Pregame

Arkansas and Mississippi State will get underway at 6:30 p.m. The attendance at Dudy Noble Field is expected to be around 8,000, which is roughly 60% of maximum capacity.

The Bulldogs (17-4, 2-1 SEC) are 12-2 at home this season.

The Razorbacks (16-3, 2-1) are 2-1 in true road games, which all were played at Louisiana Tech two weeks ago. Arkansas also won three neutral-site games against Texas Tech, Texas and TCU to open the season.

Arkansas will start third-year left hander Patrick Wicklander on the mound tonight. Wicklander (0-0, 2.51 ERA) pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed 1 run last week in a relief appearance against Alabama. This will be his first weekends start since last season and his first SEC start since he was a freshman in 2019.

The weather is nice in Starkville today. The temperature will be in the 70s to begin the game, and will be in the 60s by the end.

Running updates by Matt Jones