FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM)- Pitching woes have been plaguing the Arkansas baseball team this season, and it continued Saturday night when Alabama beat Arkansas 10-4.
This weekend is the last home S-E-C series for the Diamond Hogs, and with post-season play on the line Arkansas can’t seem to break their eight-game losing streak.
Arkansas pitcher Keaton McKinney started on the mound for the Hogs, and immediately things started off bad for Arkansas. In the first inning McKinney (1-5) issued three-straight walks, and with the bases loaded Alabama’s Haynie slugged a grand slam, giving the Crimson Tide a 4-0 lead. McKinney stayed on the bump with out much trouble, until the fourth. A two-run double by Alabama’s Daniel Cucjen followed by a Keith Holcombe walk finished his night. The sophomore pitched for 3.2 innings and allowed six earned runs off three hits and five walks. His ERA is now 6.66 for the season.
The bullpen did not bring much relief to Arkansas’ messy situation. Doug Willey pitched for three innings and allowed to hits and two runs. At the top of the seventh Alberius relieved Willey, and in his first outing Alabama’s Chandler Taylor hit a two run home run.
For the Hogs’ offense, Clark Eagan hit an RBI single in the third to put Arkansas (26-24, 7-19) on the board. Eagan was behind all four of Arkansas’ RBIs, he hit a two run home run in the bottom of the ninth.
Arkansas will try to avoid the sweep Sunday in the series finale against Alabama at 1:05 p.m. at Baum Stadium.
