FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM)- Saturday was game-two against Western Illinois at Baum Stadium. The Hogs beat WIU 3-2 after 10 innings Friday and then today they beat the Leathernecks 9-3 for the series win.
Western Illinois didn’t stand a chance after the Razorbacks’ bats came alive in the second inning. Chad Spanberger was the first to put the Hogs on the scoreboard after he doubled down the line allowing Luke Bonfield to score. Still in the second Eric Cole singled to the right side allowing Spanberger to get their second run, putting them ahead 2-0.
The Leathernecks responded at the top of the third with two runs of their own tying the score 2-2. But, the Hogs fired back at the bottom of the third. Spanberger hit a home run bringing in Bonfield and Nomura to score.
Rick Nomura added a solo home run in the fifth to keep the Hogs’ lead at 6-3. The bats were not the only impressive aspect of the Razorbacks’ game. Pitcher Blaine Knight pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings, and struck out five. He was credited with his second win of the season today.
Arkansas had six doubles and two home runs in the win, Rick Nomura was the batter behind one of the home runs. Nomura was 4-for-5 in hits against WIU today, setting a new career-high for hits in a game.
“I have been hitting a lot of balls hard, but it’s been going at people,” said Rick Nomura on his hitting Saturday. “It’s the game of baseball you know, you could be 3-for-10 and be considered a hall of famer, but if you are playing football and you are a Quarterback and you were 3-for-10, you ain’t playing. It’s a game of failure and being mentally tough and I’m fortunate to have a day like today.”
Arkansas will be looking to sweep the series against Western Illinois, with their last game scheduled against Western Illinois Sunday at 1:00 p.m.