Big inning powers Arkansas to comeback win over Missouri State
By David Wasson
Published:
The second-seeded Arkansas baseball team erupted for six runs in the fifth inning Friday night to earn a 9-5 comeback victory over third-seeded Missouri State in the opening round of the Lawrence Regional of the NCAA Tournament.
The Razorbacks (40-20) advance to play host and No. 15 overall seed Kansas (43-16), which escaped Northeastern 6-3, on Saturday (6 pm ET, ESPN+). Missouri State takes on Northeastern in an elimination game earlier Saturday.
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Arkansas trailed 3-1 heading into the fifth Friday night before turning the game upside down. Ryder Helfrick began the outburst with an RBI double, Zack Stewart added an RBI groundout, TJ Pompey singled in a run, Maika Niu doubled home another run, Reese Robinett delivered an RBI single and a sixth run scored on a fielder’s choice.
Niu finished 4-for-4 with four RBIs, and Helfrick and Damian Ruiz each added two hits. Arkansas reliever Steele Eaves (6-1) earned the victory and Ethan McElvain earned his sixth save. The Razorbacks pitching staff combined for 11 strikeouts.
Bryce Cermenelli went 3-for-5 for Missouri State (34-20) and Curry Sutherland belted a two-run double for the Bears. Brock Lucas (6-6) allowed five runs and only got one out in the fifth in taking the loss.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
