Razorbacks lose at Charlotte despite two Kjerstad homers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The No. 4 Arkansas baseball team saw its six-game winning streak end on Wednesday as Charlotte captured a 6-3 victory at Hayes Stadium.

The Razorbacks (16-5) jumped on the 49ers (128) in the second inning when sophomore center fielder Dominic Fletcher lined a one-out single to right field and freshman outfielder Heston Kjerstad followed two batters later to launch his fourth home run of the year to right field to give Arkansas a 2-0 lead.

Kjerstad hit his second home run of the day in the ninth inning. The freshman recorded his team-leading sixth multi-RBI game of the year and became the fifth Razorback to hit multiple home runs in a game this season.

The two home runs increased Arkansas’ total to 41 this year, the most of any team in the country.

The Razorbacks managed just five hits outside of Kjerstad’s big day and Charlotte scored single runs in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings to take a 3-2 lead. The 49ers would bat around in the eighth frame, benefiting from three Razorback errors and pushing three unearned runs across to create all the offense they would need in the 6-3 victory.

Junior Barrett Loseke made his second start of the year on the mound, lasting three innings and not allowing a hit. He faced 10 batters and recorded a career-high eight strikeouts.

Head Coach Dave Van Horn sent nine pitchers to the mound on the day, including five during the eighth inning. Freshman Kole Ramage (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing the go-ahead run in the seventh frame.

Arkansas and Charlotte canceled their scheduled meeting on Tuesday due to weather. The game will not be made up.

The Razorbacks will continue their season-long eight-game road swing this weekend, traveling to Gainesville, Fla., for a top-five match-up against the No. 2 Florida Gators, the defending national champions.

Today’s 5:30 p.m. game is scheduled for broadcast on SECN+. Saturday’s game is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and be broadcast on ESPN2 (Resort Channel 29). The series finale on Sunday is scheduled for 11 a.m. and will be shown on the SEC Network (Resort Channel 79).