Gainesville, FLA.–The No. 21 Razorbacks had lost six one-run games in SEC play this season. Sunday afternoon in Gainesville, Florida they made sure they didn’t lose another one by delivering a two-run 10th inning to edge No.5 Florida 3-1.
With the win the Hogs claimed just their second SEC road series in the last two seasons. They improved to 31-13 on the year and moved to 11-10 in league play, alone in second place in the West. They also closed LSU’s lead in the West to three games.
Colby Suggs (4-0) picked up the win on the mound for Arkansas. Suggs tossed 1.2 hitless innings in relief, allowing just one walk. Barrett Astin closed out the Gators in the bottom of the 10th to pick up his seventh save of the season. Astin retired all three batters he faced, with one strikeout.
Arkansas starter D.J. Baxendale allowed just one run on five hits and struck out six in 7.1 innings of work.
With the game tied at one in the 10th Arkansas put together a two-run rally to re-take the lead. Michael Gunn smacked a pinch hit single into center field scoring Jake Wise while Tim Carver moved to third. Dominic Ficociello then hit a ground ball to the mound. Florida retired Gunn at second but was unable to turn the double play as Ficociello was safe at first and Carver scored.
The Razorbacks struck first in the top of the first. Bo Bigham delivered an RBI single into right-center field scoring Dominic Ficociello to put Arkansas in front 1-0.
Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn was ejected in the 4th inning after arguing a close play at first base. Batting coach Todd Butler took over for Van Horn.
Florida tied the game with a run in the bottom of the eighth. Preston Tucker hit a one-out groundball to second with the bases loaded. Arkansas was not able to pull off the double play and a runner scored from third.
Neither team scored in the ninth to set the stage for the Hogs’ two-run 10th.
