FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas scored four runs in the sixth inning and overcame a shaky ninth to beat Missouri 7-6 Friday at Baum Stadium.
The Razorbacks led 7-3 entering the ninth, but the Tigers hit two home runs off reliever Jordan Rodriguez in the span of three at-bats to pull within 7-6. Zach Jackson worked around a walk in the inning to record a two-out save.
Game Sketch
Line Score: Arkansas 7-13-2; Missouri 6-9-1
Records: Arkansas 19-7, 4-3 SEC; Missouri 15-13, 0-7 SEC
WP: Doug Willey (1-1)
LP: Reggie McClain (3-1)
Save: Zach Jackson (4)
Turning Point: With Arkansas trailing 3-0 and the bases loaded, Josh Alberius entered the game with no outs in the second inning. Alberius retired the top three batters in the Tigers' batting order to keep the Razorbacks within three runs.
Notable: Arkansas has won nine straight games at Baum Stadium.
Attendance: 6,537
Arkansas (19-7, 4-3 SEC) overcame a three-run deficit to win its fourth straight conference game. Austin Catron had an RBI single to tie the game in the sixth and Michael Bernal followed with an RBI single to give Arkansas a 4-3 lead.
Bernal's single chased Missouri starter Reggie McClain, who gave up a season-high six runs. McClain, a senior right-hander, suffered his first loss of the season.
The Tigers (15-13, 0-7 SEC) replaced McClain with right-hander Cole Barlett, who gave up an RBI single to Clark Eagan to cap the rally.
Arkansas added another run in the seventh on Rick Nomura's RBI single. Shane Benes' solo home run pulled Missouri within three runs in the ninth and Brett Bond's two-run home run made it 7-6.
Jackson walked one-hole hitter Kirby McGuire before Jake Ring and Ryan Howard flied out in consecutive at-bats to end the game.
Arkansas overcame another short start by Dominic Taccolini, who allowed three runs in a one-inning start. Taccolini faced just nine batters and didn't record an out in the second inning.
Missouri took a 1-0 lead on Zach Lavy's sacrifice fly in the first inning. Aided by two Arkansas errors, the Tigers added two runs in the second and took a 3-0 lead on Bond's RBI single.
Josh Alberius pitched four scoreless innings in relief of Taccolini. Alberius inherited the bases loaded in the second, but didn't allow a run.
Doug Willey pitched three scoreless innings to earn the win. Willey and Alberius each recorded three strikeouts.
The teams are scheduled to play again Saturday at 7:35 p.m.