Razorbacks win season opener with 12-4 victory over Horatio

TEXARKANA, Ark. — New head coach Trent Wilson and his Arkansas High Razorbacks(1-0) opened their 2023 campaign with a win at home Monday night over the Horatio Lions, 12-4.

After trailing the visiting Lions 4-3 through the first three innings, the Razorbacks then put together a 3-run fourth inning and a 4-run fifth inning to pull away for good.

Jonathan Garcia picked up the win for the Hogs in relief of starter Nate Wall, who went just 1 1/3 innings and surrendered 3 runs on one hit, one strikeout, and two walks. Garcia went 3 2/3 innings, allowing just one earned run on two hits, with six strikeouts, and four walks.

A leadoff walk to Luke Paxton to start the bottom of the first inning for the Razorbacks would get the offense going early, as Ty Waid followed up with a two-run home run over the left field wall to get host team out front, 2-0.

That lead, however, would be short-lived as Horatio went ahead with 4-run second inning, using four walks, a base hit, and a stolen base to take the 4-2 advantage.

The Razorbacks would bounce back and take advantage of a young, struggling Lions pitching staff in the middle innings, as Horatio would have to go their bullpen three times before the game was over.

Arkansas High capitalized on four walks in the fourth inning that lead to 2-RBI singles by both Scott Trumble and Jackson Shipp to take a 7-4 lead.

More free passes from Lions pitching lead to yet another 2-RBI single for the Razorbacks, this time by Nate Wall, and a sacrifice fly from Jackson Shipp in fifth inning to give the Razorbacks a commanding 11-4 lead.

Jackson Shipp finished the final two innings on the hill for Arkansas High, as he allowed no runs, no hits, three strikeouts, and one walk.