Bulldogs done in by eight-run third in loss to Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas used an eight-run third inning to defeat the Bryant University baseball team, 13-7, on Saturday afternoon at Baum Stadium.

The Razorbacks (5-0) have now won the series and have won each of the last three games against the Bulldogs (2-4). Saturday marked the first time in Division I program history that Bryant has allowed 10+ runs in three-straight games. The Bulldogs also made a program-record six errors in the game.  

Leading 2-0, the Hogs sent 12 men to the plate and scored eight runs on five hits and three Bryant errors. A wild pitch and a double brought home the first two runs before back-to-back walks loaded the bases. Jax Biggers promptly unloaded them with a bases-clearing double to right center to make it 7-0. Jaxon Williams and Jake Arledge added run-scoring singles before an infield error brought home the final run of the inning.

Bryant made things interesting with seven runs over the final three innings. In the seventh, sophomore Tyler Panno (Rivervale, N.J.) sprayed a single to left, took second on a wild pitch and scored as Jacob Marotta (Bridgewater, Mass.) doubled off the middle of the left field wall. Senior Cole Fabio (Mahwah, N.J.) brought home a run with a single to left center and junior Malik Daley (Northborough, Mass.) made it 11-3 with an RBI ground out.

The Bulldogs tacked on four more runs in the eighth to make it a 12-7 game. Freshman Jimmy Titus (Stafford, Conn.) singled to center and sophomore Nolan Hayward (Glendale, R.I.) followed with a pinch-hit single to left. Freshman James Ciliento (Mahwah, N.J.) then scored two with a pinch-hit double to left center. Fabio followed with an RBI double into the right field corner, and a wild pitch brought Fabio home with the fourth run of the inning.

Sophomore lefty Steve Theetge (Syracuse, N.Y.) struggled on Saturday, allowing six runs on just three hits over 2 1/3 innings. He walked a career-high six batters and suffered his first collegiate loss. Freshman Jack Ipsen (Eatontown, N.J.) and sophomore Craig Lacey (Westfield, Mass.) both had extended relief outings. Ipsen allowed five runs (two earned) over 2 1/3, while Lacey allowed two runs on three hits and struck out three in 2 2/3 innings. Junior Ryan Johnson (Falmouth, Mass.) came in to induce an inning-ending double play to get the Bulldogs out of the eighth.

Fabio and Panno each finished with two hits for the Bulldogs, while Fabio and Ciliento each added two RBI. Bryant finished the game with the same amount of hits as the Hogs, 10.

Trevor Stephan earned the win for Arkansas, tossing 5 2/3 scoreless innings. He allowed two hits, walked four and struck out six. Alredge finished 3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored, while Jordan McFarland was the only other Hog to finish with multiple hits.

The Bulldogs and Razorbacks wrap up their three-game series on Sunday with a first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m. EST.