FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas hit three home runs in the sixth inning to turn a close game into a runaway Tuesday at Baum-Walker Stadium.
The No. 1 Razorbacks defeated Arkansas-Little Rock 11-0 in a seven-inning run rule. Arkansas (20-3) won by run rule for the sixth time this season.
Wehiwa Aloy hit a grand slam, Jack Wagner hit a solo home run and Will Edmunson added a two-run homer as part of the seven-run sixth. All three homers were hit against UALR right-hander Jacob Weatherley, who was charged with 4 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits in 1 inning.
Arkansas only recorded six hits but took advantage of a lack of command by the Trojans (13-12).
“We didn’t walk anyone,” Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said. “They walked eight and hit us four times. That’s 12 free passes. You mix in four home runs and that’s how you score 11 runs.”
Arkansas left-hander Stone Hewlett pitched a scoreless seventh to compete a combined two-hitter — the Razorbacks’ first two-hitter in a seven-inning game since Kacey Murphy against Florida at the 2017 SEC Tournament.
Ben Bybee (3 innings), Dylan Carter (2) and Christian Foutch (1) combined to pitch Arkansas’ fifth shutout. The Razorbacks’ pitchers threw 62 of 87 pitches for strikes for a strike percentage of 71.3%.
“Their depth is as deep as its ever been and maybe the best pitching staff they’ve ever had,” said Chris Curry, the UALR coach who was an Arkansas volunteer coach from 2009-10. “We knew they were really good and we respect them for that.”
UALR starter Austin Stubber threw 41 pitches and did not make it out of the first inning. Stubber, a right-hander, allowed 2 runs on 1 hit, 2 walks and 2 hit batsmen.
Stubber entered the game with a 2.04 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in 17 2/3 innings as a set-up man.
“That wasn’t him,” Curry said. “I think he was trying to be too fine and miss some barrels and try to trick them a little bit instead of attacking. That’s the way it goes against a good club sometimes.”
Ben McLaughlin (walk) scored in the first inning when Wagner’s pop up was caught by UALR shortstop Alex Seguine running away from home plate in left field, and the Razorbacks went ahead 2-0 when Peyton Holt was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to end a 13-pitch at-bat.
Peyton Stovall added a two-run home run in the second inning to give Arkansas a 4-0 lead.
“I think we did a really good job of…staying in the zone and not chasing pitches,” said Stovall, who went 1 for 3, walked once and scored twice from the leadoff position.
Bybee threw 34 of 49 pitches for strikes in his debut. Bybee missed the first four weeks with mononucleosis and did not made the Razorbacks’ 27-man SEC roster the past two weeks. Bybee allowed one hit and struck out five.
“It felt really good,” Bybee said. “It’s been a little bit, but it was good to get back out there and just do my good thing. I had a good night.”
Carter did not allow a base runner in two innings. He threw 13 of 20 pitches for strikes and recorded every out on contact in his first appearance since March 12.
Foutch worked around a single during a quick sixth inning. He threw 9 of 10 pitches for strikes.
Hewlett retired all three batters he faced in the seventh to close the game.
“It was awfully, awfully cold down there,” Van Horn said of a day when the wind chill was in the 30s. “These guys were still bringing it pretty good and commanding it pretty good.”
Why Arkansas won
The Razorbacks commanded the strike zone and the Trojans did not. Arkansas made UALR pay with four big swings that accounted for nine runs.
Player of the Game: Arkansas RHP Ben Bybee
The sophomore right-hander looked comfortable in the No. 4 starter position, which he was expected to hold before injury and illness derailed his preseason.
Bybee got the Arkansas pitching staff off to a good start in less-than-ideal conditions.
“I thought Bybee looked extremely sharp,” UALR coach Chris Curry said.
Wagner back
Arkansas designated hitter Jack Wagner played for the first time since a March 3 game against Murray State.
Wagner was injured earlier this month when he fouled a pitch off his foot during a practice. He finished Tuesday's game 1 for 3 with 2 RBI.
Up next
Arkansas will host No. 7 LSU on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the first game of a three-game series.