The Arkansas Razorbacks advanced to the winner’s bracket of the SEC Tournament Wednesday with a 2-1 win over Ole Miss in 10 innings.
Brian Anderson scored on a wild pitched with the bases loaded to end the game.
Barrett Astin pitched eight solid innings giving up one lone run on five hits, including four strike outs.
“It was a very well played game,” Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. “Both pitchers and bullpens did a tremendous job. We got out of some jams. We both hit some line drives.From our standpoint, we were glad to see it.”
The game looked like it would be an offensive slug-fest after just one inning. Ole Miss scored in the opening frame to make it 1-0. Tyler Spoon then responded in the bottom of the first with an RBI single making it 1-1.
That’s where Astin dug in on the mound, cruising through the next four innings.
Arkansas had a chance to take the lead in the fifth inning with the bases loaded but Dominic Ficociello struck out to retire the side.
The Hogs’ best chance to take the lead came in the eighth inning with the bases loaded yet again. Eric Fisher hit what looked to be a single into left field, but the ball hit runner Jacob Mahan on his way to second base, ending the inning.
Both sides went down easily in the ninth, but it didn’t take Arkansas long to end it.
Anderson started the 10th off with a ground-rule double, putting him in position to score the eventual winning run.
Arkansas will play Thursday at 4:30 p.m. against LSU. The Tigers beat Alabama 3-0 Wednesday afternoon.
Ryne Stanek will start the game on the mound for Arkansas while LSU counters with ace Aaron Nola.
