Van Horn earns 600th victory as Hogs pull away in the ninth, 5-2
Hopper hops on board as Hogs' first commitment
Razorbacks hold on in Tuscaloosa for big 76-73 road win
Arkansas made a valiant effort to comeback but couldn't overcome a 5-run fifth inning, losing 7-6 to San Diego in their final matchup of the Tony Gwynn Classic on Sunday.
Barrett Loseke made his first starting appearance of the season for Arkansas but was pulled after surrendering 2 runs in a little over two innings of work. The Razorbacks recorded 9 hits, including Casey Opitz's first two of his career.
San Diego fell behind by 3 runs, but recorded 4 hits and plated 5 runs in the fifth inning with the aid of two Arkansas throwing errors to take a 7-3 lead. Their starter, preseason All-American Nick Sprengel, gave up 3 runs but struck out 8 batters in his first showing of the season.
Here's how the Toreros edged out the Razorbacks:
THE WINNING INNINGS
After striking out in order in the first inning, Arkansas went to work in the second, scoring 3 runs on an RBI single by Casey Opitz and a 2-RBI double by Jax Biggers. Opitz's single was his first collegiate hit.
In the bottom of the third, Tyler Herburger hit a 2-run homer, bringing San Diego back within 1 run, 3-2.
The fifth inning was the death knell for the Diamond Hogs. After a leadoff walk and a single, the Toreros tied the game 3-3 on an RBI single by Jay Schuyler. A squeeze bunt by the next batter brought in another run, making it 4-3 USD. After a second walk, Arkansas turned a routine single into 2 runs for San Diego with two throwing errors. The Toreros added a fifth and final run to the inning, pushing their lead to 7-3.
Arkansas got a run back in the seventh inning on an RBI single from Eric Cole, his second hit of the game.
Heston Kjerstad and Carson Shaddy started off the eighth with a couple of singles then advanced to second and third on a passed ball. Van Horn brought in Grant Koch to pinch hit for Opitz and he delivered with a 2-RBI single to center, making it 7-6 San Diego.
Entering the ninth, Arkansas needed a run to extend the game but went down in order, giving San Diego to 7-6 victory.
STAT OF THE GAME
Arkansas had two errors today, both throwing mistakes on the same play in the fifth inning. The Razorbacks made 7 errors in the last three games.
Dominic Fletcher went 0 for 5 and recorded the last out of the game when he flied out to right field on the first pitch. Fletcher was responsible for 3 of Arkansas' 11 strikeouts on the day.
WINNING PITCHER
WIN: Anthony Donatella (San Diego): 3.0 IP (43 pitches), 3 H, 2 K's, 0 BB, 1 ER
SAVE: Justin Friedman (San Diego): 2.0 IP (19 pitches), 3 H, 1 K, 0 BB, 1 ER
PLAYER OF THE GAME
San Diego left fielder Tyler Herburger hit a 2-run home run in the third inning, his first of the year and the first home run surrendered by Arkansas. His shot to right center got the Toreros on the board and made it 3-2.
Catcher Casey Opitz got his first collegiate start and recorded his first two hits as a Razorback, going 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI.
Arkansas pitcher Jacob Kostyshock was the lone bright spot in the pitching rotation, throwing 3 strikeouts and only allowing 3 hits and no runs in his three innings of relief.
UP NEXT...
Arkansas heads back home to Baum Stadium for a two-game series with Dayton. The first game is scheduled for 3:00 pm (CST) on Wednesday, February 28 and the finale is set for 3:00 pm (CST) as well on Thursday, March 1. Both games can be seen on SEC Network+ or the WatchESPN app.
