Auburn falls to Arkansas, Rubber Match Sunday

Josh Anthony went 2-for-3 at the plate in Auburn's 7-3 loss to Arkansas on Saturday

(Photo: Auburn Athletics/Wade Rackley)

Despite jumping out to an early lead, the #10 Auburn Tigers (29-12, 11-6 SEC) fell to #14 Arkansas (32-9, 12-5 SEC), 7-3 in game two of the weekend SEC series on Saturday at Plainsman Park.

Freshman Davis Daniel got the nod for today’s game, pitching in place of Casey Mize, who is not available due to fatigue. The Freshman tossed five innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits while striking out three. Andrew Mitchell entered the game in the sixth inning, but was replaced by Cole Lipscomb after allowing two earned runs in 0.1 innings, taking the loss. Lipscomb recorded a solid outing, tossing three complete innings, allowing two hits and two runs, neither were earned. Corey Herndon finished the game, recording the final two outs in the ninth inning, allowing a hit.

One issue today on the mound, were the amount of base runners Auburn allowed. The Tiger pitching staff walked a total of six batters in nine innings, add to that a nine hit performance from Arkansas.

Auburn began the game much like Friday’s, by giving their starting pitcher multiple runs of support. Jonah Todd led off the bottom of the first with a single, but advanced to second base on a low throw to first by Arkansas shortstop Jax Biggers. Todd would advance to third on a single by Jay Estes in the next at-bat, and would later score on a sacrifice fly to right field by Daniel Robert, giving Auburn the early 1-0 lead. Conor Davis plated the second run of the inning on a single up the middle, scoring Estes.

Auburn added one more run the bottom half of the second inning to extend their lead to 3-0 over the Razorbacks when Josh Anthony scored on a Todd single with two on and one out.

Arkansas responded by evening the score at three in the top half of the third inning. With runners at the corners, Luke Bonfield hit a fly ball to center field that was deep enough to score Jake Arledge from third base, cutting Auburn’s lead to 3-1. The Hogs tied the game one at-bat later on a two-run blast by Jared Gates.

Auburn starter Davis Daniel was replaced after five complete innings of work, leaving without a decision.

Andrew Mitchell entered the game with a the score tied at five, and Arkansas quickly jumped on the reliever.

After walking three times to begin the inning, the Arkansas bats took their first lead of the series in the sixth inning. With the bases loaded, Dominic Fletcher hit a sacrifice fly to right field to move his team ahead, 4-3. Jax Biggers added one more run to the total in the next at-bat by singling home Eric Cole.

The final two runs of the game for Arkansas in the top half of the ninth inning. With a runner on third base, Gates grounded to Estes, but the throw to first base was off, allowing the run to score and Gates to remain at first base. The error by Estes was his first of two in the inning. The runner that reached base on Estes’ second error, Grant Koch, later scored on a single by Carson Shaddy.

The bullpen for each team decided the game, Cannon Chadwick picked up the win for Arkansas after walking two batters and not allowing a hit or run in four innings of work. Andrew Mitchell is tacked with the loss after allowing two earned runs in 0.1 innings. Eric Cole had two hits for Arkansas, Jared Gates recorded two RBI. Josh Anthony and Jonah Todd each had multiple hits in the game for Auburn in the loss.

With the loss, Auburn falls to 29-12, 11-6 in the SEC. Arkansas improves to 32-9, 12-5 in SEC play. Ryan Watson gets the nod for Auburn in the Sunday finale, the freshman is 1-0 with a 3.80 ERA, 19 strikeouts, 9 walks, and 9 earned runs allowed. Arkansas will throw senior Josh Alberius. Alberius is 2-4 with a 3.55 ERA in 13 appearances.

The rubber match between Auburn and Arkansas is slated for a 3 P.M. first pitch at Plainsman Park in Auburn.