FAYETTEVILLE — Third-ranked Arkansas completed a midweek sweep over Arkansas State with a 10-3 victory Wednesday at Baum-Walker Stadium.
The Razorbacks (30-7) combined for six runs on five extra-base hits in the second and third innings. They won their seventh consecutive game.
Sophomore catcher Dylan Leach hit a two-run home run in the second inning to give Arkansas a 3-0 lead. Leach has homered three times and driven in 12 runs this season — all in midweek contests.
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Redshirt sophomore Will McEntire was one out away from qualifying for his second win in two starts before being pulled in the fifth inning. He allowed 1 run, 3 hits and 4 walks on 77 pitches.
McEntire allowed at least one baserunner in each of the five innings he began. Sophomore reliever Heston Tole struck out 3 of 4 batters he faced in relief.
Back-to-back doubles from Jalen Battles and Jace Bohrofen ballooned the Razorbacks' lead to 5-0 in the third inning.
Brady Slavens was the lone Razorback starter not to record a hit. Slavens, who was 4 for 5 on Tuesday, was replaced by Zack Gregory in the seventh inning after a foul ball bounced in the batter’s box and struck him in the face.
Four different Arkansas batters had multiple hits. Freshman infielder Kendall Diggs went 3 for 3 with 2 RBI while filling in for first baseman Peyton Stovall.
The Razorback sluggers teed off on Arkansas State left hander Austin Brock to begin the fifth. The southpaw allowed 4 hits, 1 walk, and 1 hit-by-pitch before being pulled. Eight Razorbacks came to the plate during a four-run fifth inning that stretched the lead to 10-1.
Arkansas State pulled two runs back in the seventh inning as the Razorback relievers struggled with command. Gabe Starks and Issac Bracken gifted the Red Wolves a pair of runs on two bases-loaded walks.
Starks threw 9 of 23 pitches for strikes. The Arkansas bullpen’s streak with an earned run allowed was snapped after 23 2/3 innings.
Arkansas freshman Austin Ledbetter faced the minimum in the eighth inning. He allowed a one-out single, but the Red Wolves' next batter lined into a double play.
Miller Pleimann struck out the first two batters in the ninth before inducing a game-ending ground ball.
The Razorbacks will begin a three-game series against Texas A&M (23-13) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Blue Bell Park in College Station, Texas.
Arkansas has a three-game lead in the SEC West with an 11-4 conference record. Texas A&M is tied with Auburn and Alabama at 8-7 in league play.