Tennessee second baseman Max Ferguson hit a game-winning three-run home run in the ninth inning to give the No. 5 Volunteers a dramatic 8-7 victory over No. 1 Arkansas on Saturday.
The Vols (39-12, 18-8 SEC) tied the Razorbacks atop the SEC standings and evened the series at a game apiece. The teams will play a series finale Sunday at noon Central.
Tennessee’s ninth-inning rally came against Arkansas freshman right hander Jaxon Wiggins, who allowed a bloop single to Connor Pavolony and walked Liam Spence to begin the inning. Matt Hobbs, the Razorbacks’ pitching coach, met with Wiggins on the mound following the walk, then Ferguson hit his home run to deep right field on the next pitch to end the game.
"Wiggins is a guy who has been closing games," Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said. "We had a chance to win the series right there, so he was the obvious guy. If we’d have brought in somebody else and it hadn’t gone good, we’d have second-guessed ourselves. We went with a guy that had closed some games, had some saves in some big games early."
It was Ferguson’s second home run Saturday. He also hit a solo homer in the seventh inning against Caleb Bolden, who was the first of three Arkansas relievers.
The Razorbacks (38-10, 18-8) trailed 3-0 and were being no-hit through five innings, but scored five runs in the sixth and seventh innings to seemingly take control of the game.
Braydon Webb’s two-run home run followed Cullen Smith’s single to break up the no-hitter by Tennessee left hander Will Heflin. Christian Franklin tied the game with a two-out solo home run later in the inning.
Arkansas took the lead in the seventh on an RBI double by Jalen Battles and extended the lead to 5-3 when Webb hit a bunt single in the inning.
Ferguson’s first home run pulled the Vols within 5-4, but the Razorbacks went back up 6-4 when Franklin scored on a two-out fielding error in the top of the eighth inning.
Jordan Black hit a two-out homer for Tennessee in the eighth to get to within 6-5, but Arkansas answered again in the ninth when Franklin hit an RBI double over the wall to go ahead 7-5.
"It was an emotional game," Van Horn said. "Both benches were getting after it a bit. Players were fighting. I just told them that's the way the game works every now and then — just have to get over it.
"Tomorrow's a big game. We still have a chance to win this series on the road."
Tennessee’s first three hitters singled to lead off the first inning against Arkansas starter Peyton Pallette, and the Vols scored twice in the inning. Jake Rucker led off the scoring with an RBI single and Evan Russell added a sacrifice fly to score Ferguson.
Ferguson finished the game 3 or 5 with 3 runs scored and 4 RBI.
Pavolony hit an RBI single against Pallette in the fourth inning to give Tennessee a 3-0 lead.
Pallette pitched only 3 1/3 innings — the second short start by an Arkansas pitcher in the series. Patrick Wicklander pitched 2 2/3 innings in the Razorbacks’ comeback win Friday.
Arkansas has trailed by three runs in both games but had the lead in the ninth inning of both.
“The last two nights are staple SEC games,” Tennessee coach Tony Vitello said. “Call it inches if you want that separates the two teams or just a small margin. One run would be another way to describe it. But that is what these kids have signed up for and that is why there are more fans in our league than any other league because that is how it works and probably how it is going to go tomorrow, too."
Pallette allowed 2 earned runs on 6 hits and 1 walk, and struck out 2. The Vols also scored an unearned run against him.
Bolden pitched 3 1/3 innings and Ryan Costeiu pitched 1 1/3 innings in relief. The right handers shut down the Tennessee lineup for the most part, minus the two-out solo home runs in the seventh and eighth innings.
Heflin pitched six innings and took a no-decision for the Vols. The left hander allowed 3 runs on 3 hits and 1 walk, and struck out 6.
Redmond Walsh pitched two innings and earned the win for Tennessee. Walsh, a left hander, allowed 1 run on 3 hits and struck out 2.
EARLIER
Tennessee 8, Arkansas 7 — Final
Max Ferguson hit a three-run home run to give Tennessee a dramatic win over Arkansas.
Jaxon Wiggins did not record an out. Connor Pavolony singled to lead off the inning and Wiggins walked Liam Spence to bring Ferguson to the plate.
More coming soon at WholeHogSports.com.
Arkansas 7, Tennessee 5 — Middle 9th Inning
The Razorbacks have answered Tennessee's two solo home runs with a run in the following inning.
Charlie Welch led off the ninth with a pinch-hit single. Jacob Nesbit pinch ran and moved to second base on a Braydon Webb bunt and to third on Cayden Wallace's single.
Brady Slavens struck out in a sac fly opportunity, but Christian Franklin doubled over the wall in center field to score Nesbit.
Robert Moore grounded out to strand two base runners in scoring position.
Jaxon Wiggins will pitch the bottom of the ninth for the Razorbacks.
Arkansas 6, Tennessee 5 — End 8th Inning
Jordan Beck homered on a 3-2 pitch with two outs to pull the Vols back within a run.
Arkansas reliever Ryan Costeiu has been dominant with the exception of that at bat. He has struck out the other four Tennessee hitters he has faced.
Arkansas 6, Tennessee 4 — Middle 8th Inning
The Razorbacks manufactured a run in the eighth. Christian Franklin was hit by a pitch, advanced to second base on a groundout, advanced to third on a wild pitch by Redmond Walsh and scored on a ball in play by Casey Opitz.
Opitz hit one into the hole at third base, but the Tennessee scorer called it a fielding error on the Vols' third baseman.
Arkansas 5, Tennessee 4 — End 7th Inning
Ryan Costeiu struck out Drew Gilbert in three pitches to strand a Tennessee base runner at first base. Costeiu looked as good as he has in a while and got Gilbert to whiff at a 94 mph fastball.
The Vols have stranded six runners today.
Arkansas 5, Tennessee 4 — Bottom 7th Inning
Caleb Bolden ran out of gas at the end of the seventh inning. Max Ferguson's solo home run went over the scoreboard in right field and Jake Rucker followed with an infield single to third base. Cullen Smith fielded the ball, but threw wide on the long throw to first base.
Ryan Costeiu is coming out of the bullpen to replace Bolden, who pitched 3 1/3 innings. Costeiu will face the Vols' clean-up hitter Drew Gilbert.
Arkansas 5, Tennessee 3 — Middle 7th Inning
Braydon Webb's bunt single scored a second run in the inning. In both bunt singles, Tennessee's pitcher failed to cover first base when the baseman fielded the ball.
Webb has 3 RBI today.
Cayden Wallace struck out and Brady Slavens flied out to strand two base runners.
Arkansas 4, Tennessee 3 — Top 7th Inning
Casey Opitz singled with one out, stole second base and scored on Jalen Battles' RBI double to right field.
Cullen Smith followed with a bunt single to give Arkansas runners at the corners with one out.
Tennessee is going to the bullpen to take out reliever Kirby Connell, who only recorded one out in relief of Will Heflin.
Arkansas 3, Tennessee 3 — End 6th Inning
Tennessee's one-out single against Caleb Bolden was erased when Jordan Beck was thrown out by Casey Opitz trying to steal second base. Pete Derkay popped up to Cullen Smith in foul ground one pitch later to end the inning.
Bolden has faced the minimum through 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. The Razorbacks' bullpen has thrown nine scoreless innings in this series.
Arkansas 3, Tennessee 3 — Middle 6th Inning
Christian Franklin hit Arkansas' second home run of the inning on a two-strike pitch with two outs. The Razorbacks were no-hit through five innings, but have tied the game in the sixth.
This has been the point in the game where Arkansas has made a lot of its comebacks this year. The Razorbacks have outscored their opponents 63-26 in the sixth inning this season.
Tennessee 3, Arkansas 2 — Top 6th Inning
Braydon Webb's two-run home run came in the at bat after Cullen Smith broke up Will Heflin's no-hitter. Webb hit the ball over the wall in left-center field.
Tennessee 3, Arkansas 0 — End 5th Inning
Caleb Bolden has retired every batter he has faced in 1 2/3 innings. The Vols flied out three times against him in the fifth inning.
Bolden has only thrown 18 pitches.
Tennessee 3, Arkansas 0 — Middle 5th Inning
The Razorbacks had a pair of one-out base runners without a hit in the fifth inning, but they were stranded when Casey Opitz popped up to the infield and Jalen Battles grounded out. Arkansas is still without a hit against Will Heflin.
Robert Moore walked and Matt Goodheart was hit by a pitch in the inning. They were the Razorbacks' first base runners today.
It kind of feels like Heflin is on cruise control. He has thrown 66 pitches, including 48 for strikes through five innings.
Tennessee 3, Arkansas 0 — End 4th Inning
Caleb Bolden got out of the jam in the fourth. He struck out Liam Spence for the second out and Max Ferguson grounded out to second base to end the inning.
The Vols have left five on base today. The Razorbacks have not had a base runner.
Tennessee 3, Arkansas 0 — Bottom 4th Inning
After a leadoff walk and a one-out error on first baseman Brady Slavens, Tennessee scored again when Connor Pavolony hit an RBI single off Peyton Pallette.
Arkansas is going to the bullpen for Caleb Bolden, who will inherit runners on the corners with one out. The SEC's best hitter, Liam Spencer, will bat first against him.
Pallette's 3 1/3-inning start is the second short start of this series for Arkansas. He and Patrick Wicklander combined to record just 18 outs in the first two games against the Vols.
Tennessee 2, Arkansas 0 — Middle 4th Inning
Arkansas went down in order against Will Heflin for the fourth consecutive inning. Braydon Webb struck out for the second time, Cayden Wallace popped up to the third baseman in foul ground and Brady Slavens flied out to right field.
This has been a common theme for the Razorbacks against left handers. It seems to take them several innings to get going in games when a lefty starts against them.
Tennessee 2, Arkansas 0 — End 3rd Inning
Peyton Pallette had retired seven consecutive batters before Jake Rucker and Drew Gilbert hit consecutive two-out singles.
After a mound visit from pitching coach Matt Hobbs, Pallette struck out Evan Russell on a 2-2 curveball to strand the base runners.
Pallette was having trouble landing his off-speed pitches before that strikeout. The Vols have been able to sit on his fastball and have made hard contact, including on outs.
Tennessee 2, Arkansas 0 — Middle 3rd Inning
Arkansas is still without a base runner after Will Heflin retired the Razorbacks in order for the third consecutive inning.
Casey Opitz, Jalen Battles and Cullen Smith all flied out in the third. Smith hit one to the warning track in right field, but it was about 5 feet short of a home run.
Heflin has thrown 38 pitches, including 29 for strikes.
Tennessee 2, Arkansas 0 — End 2nd Inning
The Vols were retired in order in the second inning. Jalen Catalon made an outstanding catch falling down on a line drive off the bat of Connor Pavolony to end the inning.
Jordan Beck grounded out to third base for the first out and Pete Derkay grounded into the shift.
Peyton Pallette has thrown 25 pitches for Arkansas. By comparison, Patrick Wicklander threw 38 in the first inning last night. So while the Razorbacks are behind, Pallette is throwing more efficiently early today.
Tennessee 2, Arkansas 0 — Middle 2nd Inning
The Razorbacks have not had a base runner. Christian Franklin and Robert Moore struck out against Will Heflin, and Matt Goodheart grounded out to end the inning.
Heflin has three strikeouts.
Tennessee 2, Arkansas 0 — End 1st Inning
This game began similar to last night. Liam Spence doubled, Max Ferguson reached on a bunt single and Spence scored on an RBI single by Jake Rucker.
Ferguson also scored on a sacrifice fly by Evan Russell.
Casey Opitz made a couple of key plays for the Razorbacks to limit the Vols' inning. He made a strong throw to second base for the first out on a bunt attempt by Drew Gilbert, and caught a pop up behind the plate for the final out.
Arkansas 0, Tennessee 0 — Middle 1st Inning
The Razorbacks went down in order against Will Heflin. Braydon Webb struck out in four pitches, Cayden Wallace flied out to right-center field and Brady Slavens grounded into a shift on the right side of the infield.
Pregame
Arkansas is shuffling its lineup a little today. Braydon Webb will start in left field and lead off, and designated hitter Matt Goodheart will drop to the six hole.
This appears to be an effort to get more right-handed hitters higher in the order against Tennessee left-handed pitcher Will Heflin. Webb is also a strong defender, as he showed last night with his catch against the wall in the ninth inning.
Peyton Pallette will start for the Razorbacks and the team could use a long start from him after the bullpen was called on for 6 1/3 innings of one-hit relief last night. Pallette has pitched well of late, but for various reasons has not made it past the fifth inning often.
The weather will be picture perfect in Knoxville for today's game. It is sunny and the high will be near 74 degrees.
In the SEC race, we'll be watching a couple of other games closely today, primarily the series finale between Missouri and Mississippi State. The Tigers won last night and another upset today could loom large in the Razorbacks' quest to win the SEC West.