Alabama Drops Series to No. 22 Arkansas After Game Two Loss

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama dropped the series after a 15-5 loss to No. 22 Arkansas on Saturday, as the Razorbacks scored 11 runs in the final three innings.

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The Crimson Tide's pitching in Game Two started strong, as starting pitcher Zane Adams went six innings, allowing five hits, three earned runs, two walks, and recording four strikeouts. After Adams exited in the top of the seventh inning, the Razorbacks erupted for 11 runs while Alabama used four different relievers.

Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron showcased his speed and athleticism by reaching first base on a fielder’s choice. He then stole both second and third, giving him 27 stolen bases this season. Arkansas catcher Ryder Helfrick overthrew third base, allowing Lebron to score on the error and give Alabama a 1-0 lead heading into the second inning.

Arkansas responded in the top of the third when right fielder Carter Rutenbar led off with a double. Helfrick followed with a line drive to third, and although he reached first safely, Alabama’s Jason Torres made a nice stop to keep the ball in the infield and hold Rutenbar at third. With runners on the corners, Arkansas center fielder Maika Niu drove in Rutenbar by beating out a double play, tying the game at 1-1 heading into the bottom of the third.

The Crimson Tide regained the lead in the bottom of the third when Lebron delivered an RBI single, scoring Brennan Holt from second base after Holt had walked to lead off the inning. This put Alabama ahead 2-1 going into the fourth.

Alabama extended its lead in the bottom of the fourth when Holt singled to right field, driving home freshman outfielder Chase Kroberger, who had reached base safely on a bunt earlier in the inning. The Tide led by two heading into the fifth.

In the top of the fifth, the Razorbacks scored three runs to take their first lead of the game. Rutenbar’s RBI single was followed by a throwing error from Alabama catcher John Lemm that allowed Pompey to score. Helfrick then added a sacrifice fly to deep left-center, bringing home Rutenbar from second and making it 4-3 Arkansas heading into the bottom of the fifth.

Alabama tied the game again in the bottom of the sixth on Fowler’s sacrifice fly, which brought home Justin Osterhouse. Osterhouse, who pinch-hit for Kroberger, had singled earlier in the inning. The Tide had a chance to take the lead with the bases loaded and one out, but Lebron struck out, leaving two runners stranded. The game remained tied at 4-4 heading into the seventh.

Arkansas quickly reclaimed the lead in the top of the seventh, as third baseman TJ Pompey led off with a double and later scored on Helfrick’s groundout to Lebron at second base. It was Helfrick’s first RBI of the game and put Arkansas ahead 5-4 going into the bottom of the seventh.

Arkansas added to its lead in the top of the eighth when left fielder Damian Ruiz hit an RBI single to left-center, driving in Kozeal for his first RBI of the game. With the bases loaded and no outs later in the inning, Souza’s sacrifice fly brought home Ruiz from third, and Pompey followed with a three-run homer over left field, giving the Razorbacks a 10-4 lead going into the bottom of the eighth.

The Crimson Tide trimmed the Razorbacks’ lead in the bottom of the eighth when Eric Hines scored on Brennan Holt’s ground ball, as Holt reached first on a fielder’s choice. It marked Holt’s second RBI of the game. Alabama was unable to add more runs, making it a 10-5 game entering the final inning.

Arkansas poured on five more runs in the top of the ninth, extending its lead to 15-5 heading into the bottom of the ninth.

The Crimson Tide added a run in the bottom of the ninth, as freshman Caleb Barnett, pinch-hitting for Jason Torres, notched his first collegiate hit, an RBI single that drove in Eric Hines from third.

Alabama fell to 26-10 overall and 8-6 in SEC play. The Crimson Tide will try to avoid a series sweep in Game Three, scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. CT at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

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