FAYETTEVILLE — Alabama hit three home runs and beat Arkansas 8-6 in the series opener Friday night at Baum Stadium.
The Crimson Tide entered the game with an SEC-worst 18 home runs, but hit all three in the first four innings, as they built an 8-2 lead.
Cobie Vance, the second batter of the game, hit a towering home run to center to start the scoring, but Arkansas responded with an RBI groundout by Rick Nomura.
The Razorbacks (26-23, 7-18 SEC) took the lead in the second on Cody Scroggins' RBI single, but it didn't last long.
Alabama (28-21, 13-12) scored three runs in the third inning, including a solo home run by Will Haynie, and four runs in the fourth inning, including a three-run home run by Chandler Taylor.
All eight runs were charged to Arkansas starter Dominic Taccolini, whose struggles have resumed after his 10-inning shutout at Kentucky. In three starts since, he has allowed 17 earned runs in 14 2/3 innings.
Isaiah Campbell relieved Taccolini in the fourth and silenced Alabama's bats. Only two batters reached base off the freshman in five innings of work. Jordan Rodriguez retired the only batter he faced.
The Razorbacks staged a late-inning comeback attempt, but it wasn't enough to overcome the early deficit.
Clark Eagan started the rally with a two-out solo home run in the seventh. He was followed by a Rick Nomura single and Carson Shaddy RBI triple. Arkansas scored another pair in the eighth thanks to a two-run single by Chad Spanberger.
The loss, coupled with Tennessee's loss to LSU, means the Razorbacks are still tied for last in the SEC. Missouri, which was also tied for last entering the weekend, had its game against Georgia postponed because of rain.
Arkansas and Alabama play again Saturday at 6:05 p.m.