Late Surge by Arkansas Sinks Alabama, 7-5, in Series Opener

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- The Crimson Tide fell 7-5 to No. 22 Arkansas in game one after the Razorbacks scored six runs in the top of the eighth inning. Alabama's ninth-inning rally ultimately fell short.

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Alabama struck first in the bottom of the second inning when freshman designated hitter Eric Hines launched a solo home run, his third of the season, traveling 425 feet with an exit velocity of 110 miles per hour. The Tuscaloosa native went three-for-four with one RBI in game one. Hines' homer gave the Tide a one-run lead heading into the third inning.

Both teams' starting pitchers delivered solid outings, and hits were hard to come by. Alabama's Tyler Fay pitched six innings, scattering four hits, allowing one run, striking out four, and walking two. Fay exited when left-hander Matthew Heiberger entered from the bullpen in the top of the seventh, striking out two consecutive batters to retire the side. Heiberger pitched 1.2 innings, allowing four hits, four runs (two unearned), walking one, and striking out three.

Arkansas starter Hunter Dietz was impressive on the mound, pitching six innings, scattering three hits, allowing two runs (both via home runs), walking two, and recording nine strikeouts.

In the top of the fifth inning, Arkansas tied the game when shortstop Camden Kozeal hit a two-out RBI double to left-center, driving in center fielder Christian Turner from third. However, Crimson Tide shortstop Justin Lebron threw out Carter Rutenbar at home plate to end the inning, keeping the score tied at one.

Alabama regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth when right fielder Brady Neal hit his seventh home run of the season, a solo shot over left-center into the Tide's bullpen, giving Alabama a 2-1 advantage.

In the bottom of the seventh, Brennan Holt singled to advance Luke Vaughn to third, setting up runners on the corners with no outs. Center fielder and leadoff hitter Bryce Fowler followed with an RBI single, beating the throw to avoid a double play and driving in Vaughn for his first RBI of the evening. The Tide extended their lead to 3-1 entering the eighth inning.

Arkansas answered in the top of the eighth, plating two runs to tie the game at three, a solo home run by Camden Kozeal and an RBI single from right fielder Zack Stewart that drove in Nolan Souza. The Crimson Tide then brought in Hagan Banks, but the Razorbacks continued their rally, scoring four more runs in the inning, including two unearned following a wild throw by Lebron at shortstop. Third baseman TJ Pompoy capped the outburst with a two-run homer to left, putting Arkansas ahead 7-3 before Evan Steckmesser entered to close out the inning. The damage was done, and Arkansas led 7-3 going into the bottom of the eighth.

The Crimson Tide couldn't answer in the final two innings. Alabama stranded runners on first and third in the bottom of the eighth. In the ninth, Brady Neal's single to right brought home Lebron from second and Fowler from third, trimming Arkansas's lead to two. However, that was all the Tide could manage, as Arkansas retired the next three batters to end the game.

Alabama drops to 26-9 overall and 8-5 in SEC play. The Tide will look to bounce back in Game Two tomorrow at Sewell-Thomas Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m. CT. A win would force a rubber match on Sunday.

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