FAYETTEVILLE — For the third straight SEC game, an Arkansas late-inning rally came up short.
The Razorbacks scored six runs in the final two innings, but lost to No. 2 Florida 12-8 at Baum Stadium Thursday night. It was Arkansas' sixth consecutive SEC loss.
Starter Dominic Taccolini threw three no-hit innings, but unraveled in the fourth. He gave up a leadoff single to Deacon Liput before walking back-to-back batters to load the bases.
That prompted Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn to bring in Josh Alberius, who gave up a two-run single to Peter Alonso. A string of three straight doubles extended the Gators' lead to 6-0.
It was the 12th time in 13 SEC games this season that the Razorbacks' opponent scored first.
Florida's leadoff batter reached and scored in each of the next four innings, with the Gators scoring two in the seventh and adding one in the ninth.
Arkansas didn't get on the board until the fifth, when Grant Koch walked and Rick Nomura singled to start the inning. They scored on RBI singles by Clark Eagan and Luke Bonfield.
A.J. Puk lasted only five innings for Florida, but struck out nine batters while touching 99 miles per hour on the radar gun.
The Razorbacks cut into the Gators' nine-run lead with a big eighth inning, plating five runs.
Koch hit a three-run home run and Carson Shaddy hit an RBI double before scoring on a wild pitch.
Chad Spanberger added a solo home run in the ninth.
Arkansas and Florida play the second of a three-game series Friday at 6:30 p.m.