Fletcher’s bat helps keep Arkansas unbeaten in CWS
OMAHA, Neb. – Dominic Fletcher went 4 for 4 with a homer and four RBIs and Arkansas pitchers struck out 14 in a 7-4 victory over Texas Tech in the College World Series on Wednesday. Fletcher doubled in two runs in the first inning, homered in the fourth, had a bunt single in the sixth and singled in a run in the eighth as the Razorbacks won their second game to take control of Bracket 1. They need one more win, Friday or Saturday, to move to the best-of-three finals next week.
Arkansas (46-19) held one of the nation’s top offenses mostly in check. The Red Raiders (45-19) had come into the game scoring 8.2 runs per game and batting .311. Their six hits were their fewest in 19 games, and their 14 strikeouts were three fewer than the season-high 17 they had in a 5-1 loss at Arkansas in April.
Razorbacks starter Kacey Murphy limited Tech to two runs and two hits in 42⁄3 innings. The Detroit Tigers’ 11thround draft pick struck out seven, including four in a row over the third and fourth innings. Barrett Loseke (4-2) struck out five in three innings of shutout relief. Matt Cronin worked the last 11⁄3 innings, allowing two runs.
Jared Gates’ sixth homer of the season put the Razorbacks up 3-0 in the second against Davis Martin (7-6), and Fletcher hit his ninth in the fourth before Jax Biggers’ RBI single made it 5-0.
The start of the game was delayed 31⁄2 hours because of rain.
Arkansas moves to the bracket final Friday. The Razorbacks will play the winner of the Thursday elimination game between Texas Tech and Florida.