Hogs crush Wichita State
FAYETTEVILLE — Heston Kjerstad and Matt Goodheart each hit home runs for the University of Arkansas in the Razorbacks’ 10-1 victory over Wichita State in an exhibition game Friday night at Baum Stadium before an announced crowd of 5,142.
Arkansas led 3-1 after the top of the ninth inning when closer Matt Cronin struck out the side.
The teams then played through 14 innings so more reserves and pitchers could get into the game.
Goodheart, a sophomore from Magnolia who transferred from San Jacinto (Texas) Junior College, hit a three-run home run in the 10th to put the Razorbacks ahead 9-1. He added an RBI single in the 14th.
Cronin was among five pitchers —including starter Isaiah Campbell, Jacob Kostyshock, Cody Scroggins and Kole Ramage — who combined for 17 strikeouts and 1 walk through 9 innings.
Goodheart walked and Kjerstad — a sophomore who has moved from left to right field — followed with a two-run home run to give the Razorbacks a 2-0 lead in the first inning.
Goodheart opened the game at designated hitter and later played first base and left field.
Campbell threw 64 pitches in four innings. He allowed 1 run on 4 hits with 8 strikeouts and 1 walk.
The Shockers loaded the bases in the first inning with two outs, but Campbell struck out Garrett Kocis to end the threat.
Wichita State made it 2-1 in the third inning on Jacob Katzfey’s double and an RBI single by Luke Ritter.
Razorbacks freshman left fielder Christian Franklin walked leading off the sixth, stole second, went to third on a throwing error and scored on a wild pitch to give Arkansas a 3-1 lead.
Shockers starting pitcher Clayton McGinnis went four innings.
He allowed 2 runs on 4 hits and 1 walk with 7 strikeouts.
Arkansas junior center fielder Dominic Fletcher went 2 for 4 with a walk.
Through the first eight innings, Wichita State’s pitchers held the Razorbacks to 5 hits and 3 walks and had 14 strikeouts.
Kjerstad struck out four times after his home run.
Arkansas will play its second exhibition game against the University of Arkansas at Little Rock next Friday.
The game will start at 4:30 p.m. at Gary Hogan Field in Little Rock.