Hogs even series with Auburn, 7-3

AUBURN, Ala. — Coming off its worst loss of the season Friday night, Arkansas came from behind against Auburn and evened the Southeastern Conference series with a 7-3 victory Saturday at Plainsman Park.

Arkansas’ bullpen threw 7 2/3 scoreless innings after starter Trevor Stephan gave up three runs — all earned — before replaced by Cannon Chadwick. With 4 1/3 innings of hitless relief, Chadwick was credited with the win. Freshman Evan Lee ended the Auburn sixth with a strikeout after the Tigers loaded the bases, and sophomore Jake Reindl picked up a thee-inning save while striking out six.

Stephan and Blaine Knight, the Razorbacks’ top two starters this season, lasted a combined 3 2/3 innings and allowed 11 earned runs on 13 hits. Auburn scored five runs in the first inning Friday night, chased Knight in an eight-run third and added two runs in the fifth for a 15-2 victory in the series opener.

Saturday, Arkansas tied it 3-3 in the third with Luke Bonfield’s sacrifice fly followed by Jared Gates’ two-run homer. Arkansas’ first lead of the series came in the sixth came on a sacrifice fly by Dominic Fletcher followed by an RBI single by Jax Biggers. A couple of Auburn errors helped the Razorbacks score two insurance runs in the sixth.

Lost in the Auburn rout Friday night were 5 2/3 innings from Arkansas freshman pitcher Angus Denton, who gave up five runs but saved the Razorback bullpen for the remainder of the series.

Today’s rubber match starts at 3 p.m. and airs on the SEC Network (Resort Channel 79).