Only once in the all-time series history between the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the University of Arkansas has a baseball game reached the ninth inning.
UAPB was one strike away from getting there again Tuesday night, but Arkansas sophomore Reese Robinett hit a walk-off RBI double to run rule the Golden Lions 13-3 in eight innings at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville.
UAPB (8-27) trailed 10-3 after the third inning but did not allow another run until the bottom of the eighth. Relief pitchers Emerson Lott, Brendan Hamlin, Ashton Davis and Darrius Brown combined to pitch four scoreless innings with two hits and a walk between the fourth through seventh. Davis and Brown retired the Razorbacks in order in the sixth and seventh.
Brown returned to the mound in the eighth and retired the first hitter he saw, extending UAPB’s streak of consecutive hitters retired to 10.
No. 2 Arkansas (33-5) broke that streak when right fielder Kuhio Aloy reached on an infield single, which stood despite a UAPB challenge. The next hitter, second baseman Cam Kozeal, hit a 2-run home run to end the scoreless streak and make it 12-3.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Brown struck out the next hitter before Steffan Fak relieved him. He gave up a single to pinch hitter Kendall Diggs, who scored the game-ending run on Robinett’s double.
Kozeal’s home run was Arkansas’ fourth of the game, each scoring 2 runs. Aloy hit one in the third inning as part of a 4 for 5 day with 4 RBI and 3 runs. His brother, shortstop Wehiwa Aloy, hit one in the second while catcher Zane Becker hit one in the third.
Arkansas scored 3 runs in the first inning, 3 runs in the second and 4 runs in the third before hitting its middle innings scoring drought.
UAPB scored its first run in the top of the second inning when catcher Brant Voth led off with a solo home run, cutting the deficit at the time to 3-1. UAPB added 2 runs in the third when second baseman Collin McLemore scored on a double steal and left fielder Gavin Terry scored on an RBI fielder’s choice by designated hitter Carlos Rodriguez-Velez.
The Golden Lions managed 2 hits and a walk the rest of the game while Arkansas pitchers retired the final 10 UAPB hitters to appear at the plate.
UAPB started Chris Bedgood (0-3) on the mound. He allowed 6 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks in 1 1/3 innings before the Golden Lions turned to the bullpen, ultimately using seven relievers.
Arkansas starter Tate McGuire (2-2) allowed 3 runs on four hits with five strikeouts in 3 innings. Three Razorback relievers held UAPB to 2 hits and a walk with five strikeouts.
UAPB moves to 0-7 all-time against Arkansas, a series which dates back to 2019. Five of the seven games ended in run-rule fashion, with another being scheduled for seven innings as part of a doubleheader. The only game to reach the ninth inning was a 12-4 Arkansas win in 2021.