FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas is on its way to the College World Series.
The Razorbacks beat Missouri State 3-2 Sunday to win the NCAA super regional at Baum Stadium. Arkansas won twice during the best-of-three game series.
Game Sketch
Line Score: Arkansas 3-7-1; Missouri State 2-8-0
Records: Arkansas 40-23; Missouri State 49-12
WP: Lance Phillips (2-3)
LP: Jordan Knutson (6-2)
Save: Zach Jackson (9)
Turning Point: Arkansas scored three runs in the top of the first inning and never trailed.
Notable: Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn improved to 6-2 in super regionals.
After starting the season 11-12 overall, the Razorbacks recorded one of their greatest in-season turnarounds in history. Arkansas is in the College World Series for the first time since 2012 and for the eighth time in program history.
The Razorbacks will play Virginia next Saturday at TD Ameritrade Park. The Cavaliers swept Maryland in a super regional to advance to the College World Series.
Zach Jackson pitched 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to close out the win. Jackson struck out six batters and retired the final 11 batters he faced.
Jackson struck out Missouri State center fielder Tate Matheny on a full-count pitch to end the game, sending most of the 11,694 fans into a frenzy as the Razorbacks dog-piled near the pitchers mound.
Arkansas (40-23) scored three runs in the top of the first inning and never trailed the decisive Game 3. Three of the Razorbacks' first four batters reached base against Missouri State starter Jordan Knutson.
Tyler Spoon and Brett McAfee each had RBI singles in the inning, and Rick Nomura had a sacrifice fly.
Missouri State (49-12) scored after an error in the third inning and pulled within 3-2 on Dylan Becker's RBI single in the sixth inning. The Bears stranded 10 base runners, including seven in scoring position.
James Teague pitched four innings in a no-decision for Arkansas. Teague allowed just one hit and no earned runs.
Lance Phillips pitched 1 1/3 innings out of the bullpen to record his second win of the season. Phillips worked a scoreless fifth inning against the heart of the Missouri State batting order but was pulled for Jackson after allowing two base runners in the sixth inning.