Gardner Quiets Bulldog Bats In 7-3 Arkansas Win
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Arkansas starter Jarrett Gardner allowed two runs during a career-longest 6-1/3 inning pitching performance Saturday as the Razorbacks (19-12, 5-6 SEC) evened up the weekend series with a 7-3 win at Dudy Noble Field. The teams conclude their SEC series Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Gardner, who drew his first career start in a six-inning no-decision appearance last Saturday against South Carolina, blanked the Bulldogs and allowed just two hits over the first five innings. Chad Henry broke up the shutout with a solo home run in the sixth.
Arkansas took a 1-0 lead in the third when Nick Pitts laced a lead-off double to right-centerfield and later scored on Scott Bridges' fly ball to centerfield. The Razorbacks jumped on MSU starter Tanner Brock for four more runs in the fourth, two on Andrew Wishy's fourth home run of the year. Michael Conner belted a solo home run to open the sixth and added a run-scoring double in the seventh for a 7-1 Arkansas lead.
Brock struck out six but gave up six runs on seven hits during his 5-1/3-inning start. Brian Owens and Chris Young followed Brock on the mound. Young gave up one hit in three innings of shutout relief work.
Michael Brown delivered the last of three Bulldog singles in the seventh to drive in MSU's second run of the game, and State plated an unearned run in the ninth when Steve Gendron singled and scored two batters later on Michael Brown's booted grounder at shortstop.
Gardner gave up two runs on five hits, walked one and struck out three. Relief pitcher Josh Merryman allowed three hits in 2-2/3 innings of game-closing mound work.
Steve Gendron and Michael Brown had two hits each for MSU while Conner and Npitts paced the Razorbacks with two hits apiece.
MSU junior lefty Joey Collums (2-2, 2.68) is expected to face Arkansas sophomore right-hander Scott Roehl (0-0, 7.94) in Sunday's series finale.
ARKANSAS 7, MISSISSIPPI STATE 3UA (19-12, 5-6 SEC) 001 401 10 -- 7-8-1MSU (20-12-1, 7-6 SEC) 000 001 11 -- 3-8-2WP -- Jarrett Gardner (1-0). LP -- Tanner Brock (4-3).HR -- MSU: Chad Henry (2); UA: Andrew Wishey (4),Michael Conner (8). T -- 2:45. ATT -- 6,782 (paid),4,297 (actual).