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Alabama 2, Arkansas 0 — End 3rd Inning
Justin Lebron’s 2-out RBI double to left field plated an unearned run for the Crimson Tide.
Third baseman TJ Pompey overthrew first base on a groundball from Chase Kroberger, who went on to score the run.
Brennan Holt added a 1-out walk before Brady Neal hit a strong fly ball to right for the second out.
Eric Hines hit a high popup to the infield for the final out. Pompey caught it in front of home plate.
Alabama 1, Arkansas 0 — Middle 3rd Inning
The Razorbacks squandered an opportunity in the third after Nolan Souza reached on a leadoff error at first base and TJ Pompey followed with a single to left.
Reese Robinett bunted straight up to the pitcher for the first out, Carter Rutenbar flied out to right and Ryder Helfrick was robbed of a base hit with a great, rangy play by second baseman Brennan Holt.
That was at least the third hit the Alabama middle infield has taken away from Helfrick in this series. Shortstop Justin Lebron has robbed him twice.
Alabama 1, Arkansas 0 — End 2nd Inning
The Crimson Tide are on Tate McGuire’s pitches right now.
After a leadoff walk to Justin Lebron, McGuire gave up a pair of hard-hit singles to right field by Eric Hines and Andrew Purdy. The Purdy hit scored Lebron from third base.
The Razorbacks had action in the bullpen but McGuire escaped without further damage.
Jason Torres fell behind 1-2 while trying to lay down a bunt, then took a third strike for the first out of the inning.
Justin Osterhouse grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.
Arkansas 0, Alabama 0 — Middle 2nd Inning
Myles Upchurch struck out the side in the second inning. Camden Kozeal went down swinging, then Damian Ruiz and Kuhio Aloy both went down looking at borderline 3-2 pitches they thought were outside the strike zone.
Plate umpire David Savage has a liberal zone on a getaway day.
Upchurch has 4 strikeouts. The Razorbacks are making him throw a lot of pitches to get them, though. His pitch count might get high in a hurry.
Arkansas 0, Alabama 0 — End 1st Inning
Tate McGuire had an efficient 1-2-3 first inning with 9 pitches and 7 strikes.
Bryce Fowler and Brennan Holt both grounded out, and Brady Neal fouled out to third baseman TJ Pompey.
Arkansas 0, Alabama 0 — Middle 1st Inning
The south wind likely cost Ryder Helfrick a 1-out solo home run. He smoked a 3-2 pitch, but the wind held the ball up for Justin Osterhouse to make a jumping catch just in front of the wall in left field.
Maika Niu struck out swinging at a 3-2 pitch from Myles Upchurch to end the inning. Carter Rutenbar grounded out to lead off the game.
Pregame
Arkansas has a chance for a series sweep over a top 10 team this afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Alabama’s Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
Tate McGuire, the junior right-hander, will make his first SEC start for the Razorbacks. He pitched 3 scoreless innings against Little Rock on Tuesday in his first start of the year.
Alabama will throw freshman right-hander Myles Upchurch. He is making his ninth start, but typically does not get as deep into games as the Crimson Tide’s first two starters.
Here is a look at Arkansas’ lineup:
RF Carter Rutenbar
C Ryder Helfrick
CF Maika Niu
SS Camden Kozeal
LF Damian Ruiz
DH Kuhio Aloy
2B Nolan Souza
3B TJ Pompey
1B Reese Robinett
The Razorbacks are wearing the road grays with red hats for the third day in a row. Alabama has camouflage-print tops with white pants and red hats.
Matt Jones
Matt Jones is the managing editor of WholeHogSports.com and hosts the WholeHogSports Daily Podcast. He is a member of the Football Writers Association of America and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, and voter for the Heisman Trophy. He has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in journalism from the University of Arkansas.
