AUBURN, Alabama -- Joe Serrano came up big twice as Arkansas rallied again and again Friday night to claim a 10-7 victory at Auburn in front of 3,379 fans at Plainsman Park.
The victory leaves Coach Dave Van Horn on the cusp of a career milestone as he goes for the 500th victory of his Arkansas career today. More important to Van Horn is closing out this series with a victory after hovering at .500 over the past week.
"That's where my mind is, honestly," Van Horn said. "Five-hundred [victories] is awesome. I hope there's another 500, but I just want to win the series. If it happens, that's great. If it takes until Sunday, that's great as well."
Big hits by Serrano could certainly help again after the Razorbacks (15-14, 4-6 SEC) rallied several times before Serrano's at-bat sealed the victory. The senior delivered the go-ahead runs with a two-run single to left-center field in the ninth, which followed his leadoff home run in a four-run rally in the sixth.
"We've had a lot of close games over the last couple weeks where a little more execution with runners in scoring position gets the job done," Serrano said. "Huge team effort there in the ninth. ... That's what pushed us in the end."
Pitching faltered for both teams at times in a game that featured four lead changes, but Arkansas managed to hold on after a few mistakes by reliever Zach Jackson.
Starter Trey Killian and Jackson worked out of jams in back-to-back innings, but none was bigger than Killian's performance in the fifth when he worked out of a bases-loaded situation with one out to keep Auburn's lead at 5-2.
"It gave our offense a chance and gave us some life," Van Horn said.
The Razorbacks responded immediately.
Serrano and Andrew Benintendi's back-to-back home runs off Auburn starter Cole Lipscomb in the sixth reinvigorated the Razorbacks, who outscored the Tigers 8-2 in the final four innings. Benintendi's sacrifice fly in the ninth gave Arkansas a 10-7 lead.
"The leadoff home run kind of sparked us a little bit," Van Horn said.
It wasn't always pretty for the Razorbacks, who gave up five runs in the third, but Killian settled down in his first Friday night start of the season and mowed down the Tigers with three strikeouts.
Jackson picked up the victory, but not until he worked out of a big hole in the seventh. He walked three of the first four batters he faced in relief, which helped Auburn take a 7-6 lead. Jackson gave up a one-run single and later walked in the go-ahead run with the bases loaded and two out in the seventh.
"That was tough," Van Horn said. "It was tough to watch, and we've seen it happen two or three times where he recovers and does really good."
Jackson (3-0) recovered and picked up the victory while allowing 2 runs on 2 hits to go along with 5 strikeouts and 4 walks.
Arkansas will try to nail down its first series victory against Auburn since 2009 when the teams meet at 6 tonight.
The Hogs are scheduled to send sophomore right-hander Dominic Taccolini (5-2, 3.43 ERA) to the mound. Right-hander Keegan Thompson (5-2, 3.38 ERA) is expected to start for the Tigers.
Sports on 04/04/2015