FAYETTEVILLE — Despite freezing temperatures, Arkansas' bats heated up enough Saturday at Baum Stadium.
The Razorbacks put together rallies in the second and sixth innings, and beat Western Illinois 7-2. Arkansas improved to 2-0 this season.
Matt Vinson's two-out, two-run single in the second gave the Razorbacks all the runs they would need. Barrett Astin pitched five innings in a start, allowing one run on three hits.
Jalen Beeks pitched three innings in relief, striking out four batters and allowing just two hits. Thomas Altimont gave up a run in the bottom of the ninth of a game that lasted only 1 hour, 58 minutes.
Western Illinois (0-2) pulled within 2-1 on a Brent Turner RBI single, but the Razorbacks responded in the fourth with a Joe Serrano fielder's choice RBI to score Brian Anderson, who led-off the inning with a single.
Arkansas added to its lead with a four-run sixth. Serrano (single) and Jake Wise (double) had RBI hits in the inning. The Razorbacks finished with eight hits.
The two teams will play the series finale Sunday with a scheduled 12:05 p.m. first pitch. Senior left-hander Trent Daniel will start on the mound for Arkansas.