Dawgs Drop Series Opener At No. 2 Arkansas

Friday, April 1

Fayetteville, Ark.

6:00 PM

Mississippi State

#2 Arkansas

STARKVILLE, MS - 2022.03.26 - Alabama vs. Mississippi State

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

Dawgs Drop Series Opener At No. 2 Arkansas

April 01, 2022 | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

The series continues at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, in Fayetteville

By: Anna Claire Thomas, Associate Director/Communications

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Mississippi State (16-11, 3-4 SEC) fell to No. 2 Arkansas (20-4, 6-1 SEC) by a score of 8-1 in the series opener on Friday (April 1) at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville.

Arkansas got on the board first with a six-run second inning that saw the Razorbacks collect five hits, including a two-run home run by Jalen Battles. In the third, Battles hit his second home run of the game, a solo shot to left that extended the Arkansas lead to 7-0 over the Dawgs.

State cut the deficit to six in the top of the fourth when Logan Tanner hit his third home run in the last four games, a solo shot to left that made it a 7-1 ballgame in favor of Arkansas. The Razorbacks added the final run of the game in the bottom of the seventh on a sacrifice fly.

MSU starter Preston Johnson (2-2) was charged with the loss after allowing seven runs – all earned – on seven hits with seven strikeouts and five walks. Freshman lefthander Cole Cheatham came on in relief to start the fifth and did not allow a hit while walking four and striking out one in 1.2 innings. Drew Talley pitched the final 2.1 innings for the Dawgs and allowed a run on one hit with a strikeout and two walks.

Arkansas righthander Connor Noland (4-1) started and earned the win after allowing one run on four hits and striking out six in seven complete innings. Zebulon Vermillion and Kole Ramage each pitched a scoreless inning of relief for the Hogs.

Tanner led the way for Mississippi State at the dish with a 2-for-4 effort with a solo home run in the fourth. Kellum Clark and RJ Yeager were each 1-for-3 on the night. Arkansas out-hit State, 8-4, in the contest.

ON DECK

The series between Mississippi State and No. 2 Arkansas continues at 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, April 2, at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville.

Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the baseball program. Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching 'HailStateBB' on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.