FAYETTEVILLE — On the day Arkansas' top pitcher returned, its top bullpen arm stole the spotlight.
Zach Jackson pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings of relief as the Razorbacks beat Loyola Marymount 2-1 at Baum Stadium. Jackson allowed only one hit and struck out five batters to record his second win of the season.
After walking 11 batters in his first three appearances, Jackson walked only one Friday despite facing several 3-2 counts.
"Baseball is such a mental game," Jackson said. "Just the fact that I could go out there and have some success, it's always nice to get that monkey off your back."
Game Sketch
Line: Arkansas 2-8-1; Loyola Marymount 1-5-1
Records: Arkansas 8-2; Loyola Marymount 8-5
WP: Zach Jackson (2-0)
LP: Colin Welmon (2-2)
Turning Point: Bobby Wernes hit a two-out RBI single to score Tyler Spoon and give Arkansas a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning.
Attendance: 1,642
Jackson had started during the Razorbacks' first three weekends, but the sophomore right-hander was sent back to the bullpen, where he flourished last season. In an attempt to help him mentally, Arkansas coaches didn't even tell him he would pitch Friday.
"We were hoping that bringing him out of the pen would change his mindset a little and help him relax," Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said.
"You find guys that love to start and a lot of times they're not good out of the pen, and vice versa. I still think Jackson can start, but he came out of the pen and did a great job. Maybe it's the fact he's not sleeping on it and worrying himself to death."
Jackson pitched in relief of starter Trey Killian, who made his first appearance of the season after tendonitis kept him out of the rotation the first three weeks. Killian left Jackson a pair of base runners when he entered the game in the fourth inning, but Jackson got Ted Boeke to strike out looking to set the tone.
"He's got really good stuff," Van Horn said. "It's good to see him pitch well and smile a little bit, gain some confidence and really save us because we did not play well today."
The Razorbacks (8-2) overcame getting picked off on the bases three times. David Edwards gave the Lions a 1-0 lead against Killian, but were never able to extend it against Jackson, giving Arkansas' offense a chance to get back in the game.
After stranding runners at third base in the third and fourth innings, the Razorbacks finally broke through with a two-run sixth that was enough with Jackson on the mound.
Andrew Benintendi scored to tie the game after a wild pitch by Loyola starter Colin Welmon and throwing error by catcher Cassidy Brown on the same play. Bobby Wernes followed with a two-out single to score Tyler Spoon and give Arkansas the lead.
Jackson nearly let Loyola tie the game in the seventh. He allowed a leadoff single to Billy Wilson, who then advanced on a balk and a wild pitch. But Jackson struck out Jimmy Jack to end the inning and preserve the lead.
Arkansas nailed down the win with a pair of perfect innings from Jackson in the eighth and ninth.
Killian pitched 3 2/3 innings on a low pitch count, but like several times last season didn't get the win in a low-scoring game. The junior allowed one run on four hits.
"The ball seemed to be coming out of my hand well when I was warming up," Killian said. "When I got out there on the mound the adrenaline took over and it felt good to be out there."
Killian's stuff wasn't overpowering. He recorded three strikeouts and relied on several fly ball outs.
"We didn't ask him to go out there and throw as hard as he could," Van Horn said. "He's got a lot more in there. We just wanted him to pitch and locate, and that's what he did."
Welmon, a senior who opted to return to school after being drafted last summer, pitched 5 2/3 innings for the Lions. He allowed seven hits, struck out five batters and walked three in the loss.
The teams will play again Saturday at 3:05 p.m.