By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Hitting two home runs in an inning isn’t new to Auburn first baseman Hunter Morris.
The junior, who homered twice in the fifth inning of Auburn’s 8-7 win against Arkansas, remembered accomplishing the feat once before. He was a 12-year-old playing in a Little League baseball tournament just outside of Cooperstown, N.Y.
“That was the last time I remember,” he said.
There’s no doubt Morris’ two home runs in an inning came on a much bigger stage Saturday, helping Auburn get even in the weekend series with the Razorbacks. His 14th and 15th home runs of the season were part of an eight-run fifth, which carried the Tigers to an important win.
His first shot was a line drive that barely cleared the fence in right field. It ended a run of success for Arkansas starter Randall Fant, who had retired 11 straight batters.
But it was a sign of things to come for Auburn’s potent lineup.
“I was fortunate that it carried out,” Morris said. “It was a turning point for our offense. We needed to get something going that inning and I was just looking to have a good quality leadoff at-bat to get an inning started for us.”
By the time he stepped into the box again, the Tigers had hit two more home runs and held a 6-3 lead. There was no doubt his second home run — which he hit off Arkansas reliever Jeremy Heatley — was leaving the ballpark when it left his bat.
In fact, Arkansas right fielder Collin Kuhn didn’t even take a step as he watched it leave the park.
Wilkins Hits
Arkansas first baseman Andy Wilkins struggled through a rough patch recently, but turned in his best day at the plate in some time Saturday.
The junior went 3-for-5 with two RBIs in the loss to Auburn. He singled in his final three at-bats, helping the Hogs nearly complete a comeback.
Wilkins, who is batting .281, hadn’t collected an RBI in Arkansas’ previous six games.
“Andy is one of the guys getting us to where we are,” Arkansas center fielder Brett Eibner said. “We’re going to need him down the road. Last year he was huge for us and he’s just been a big part of this team the past three years.
“So any time his bat is going, we’re rolling.”
Carver Returns
Arkansas shortstop Tim Carver returned to the lineup after missing three games because of a hip injury on Saturday. The sophomore singled in his fist at-bat to extend his hitting streak to 11 games and finished 1-for-4 in the loss.
He replaced freshman Matt Reynolds, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI and three runs in Friday’s win. Reynolds was in the lineup for the second straight game after missing three weeks with a shin injury.
The good news: Sophomore Tim Carver was healthy enough after missing three games with a hip injury to step back into the lineup for the Razorbacks.
Remembering 1985
Arkansas recognized its 1985 College World Series team before Saturday’s game.
The team, coached by Norm DeBriyn, set a school record for wins. The mark was later equaled by the 1987 and 1989 teams. It also was the second Arkansas team to reach the CWS.
Van Horn was among the group recognized before the game Saturday. Arkansas’ current coach was a graduate assistant with the 1985 team.
Today’s Pitching Matchup
Arkansas will send the right-handed Eibner (3-3, 4.04 ERA) to the mound. Auburn will counter with lefty Grant Dayton (4-2, 5.14).
