March 13, 2011
SAN DIEGO - Three Arkansas pitchers struck out 16 batters and the Razorbacks manufactured four early runs en route to defeating San Diego State, 5-2, Sunday afternoon. In a contest that featured only four hits by each side, it was the visitors who proved most productive on the scoreboard at day's end.
Arkansas (13-2) opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the top of third requiring only one hit to do so. A leadoff single and a walk put runners at first and second. Tim Carver's sac bunt was fielded by SDSU pitcher Bryan Crabb, but his throw to first was wide and the bases were loaded. A fielder's choice grounder to short and a sacrifice fly to right put UA up 2-0.
The Razorbacks doubled their advantage in the fifth, this time loading the bases on a walk and a pair of infield singles. Another sac fly plus a wild pitch brought home two runs to make it a 4-0 game.
That ended the afternoon for Crabb (0-3), who finished the contest with 4.1 innings pitched. Over that span he allowed the four runs (three earned) on three hits and a pair of walks with one strikeout.
Arkansas added its fifth run on a solo home run by James McCann in the top of the seventh. That came off Aztec freshman reliever Cole Swanson, who had another fine outing going the final 4.1 innings and allowing the one hit with no walks and three strikeouts.
Razorback starter Cade Lynch, meanwhile, was holding the Aztec offense in check, The junior right-hander allowed just four SDSU base runners on three hits and a walk over the his six innings of work. Along the way he struck out nine and would eventually be credited with the win to improve to 2-0 on the season.
San Diego State got on the board with a pair of runs in the eighth that began with three straight walks by UA reliever Barrett Astin. Trent Daniel then came on and was greeted by a single off the bat of Chris Willson to bring home the first run of the inning. After a strikeout, pinch hitter Ben Vasko's sacrifice fly made it a 5-2 game, but that's as close as the Aztecs would get.
Daniel got out of the inning without further damage, and then retired the side in order in the ninth to record his first save of the year.
San Diego State will make it second road trip of the season as it travels to Los Angles to face Loyola Marymount on Tuesday, March 15, at 2:00 p.m. at LMU's Page Stadium.