FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas opened Saturday’s critical doubleheader with a win, beating Ole Miss 2-0 in a seven-inning game in Baum Stadium.
Arkansas starting pitcher Randall Fant led the Razorbacks to the victory — which moved them one win away from clinching a spot in the eight-team SEC Tournament field — by throwing 6 1/3 scoreless innings. The sophomore retired 16 straight at one point.
“It’s a seven-inning game,” said Fant, who improved to 3-3. “Your starter can go at least five or six. If I could do that it would be great for our bullpen.”
Fant did his job. He also got some some help from Arkansas’ defense, which came up with big plays in both the first and seventh innings to keep the Rebels scoreless. Ole Miss’ Tanner Mathis led off the game with a double and reached third after a sacrifice bunt, but Fant, first baseman Dominic Ficociello and shortstop Tim Carver teamed to turn a double play.
Fant cruised from there until the seventh inning, when his streak of 16 straight retired ended with a leadoff single by Alex Yarbrough. Matt Snyder singled two batters later to put runners on first and second with one out. It also ended Fant’s outing.
Trent Daniel came out of the bullpen, but the Rebels got another base hit when Matt Tracy singled to right field. But the game remained scoreless when Yarbrough was thrown out at home plate by Arkansas’ Jarrod McKinney for the second out.
“I know Mckinney has a great arm,” said Fant, who watched the play at the plate from the dugout. “They sent him So I knew we had a good shot at getting him out at home plate.”
Barrett Astin came out of the bullpen to record the final out to wrap up the win.
Arkansas scored its runs on sacrifice fly by catcher James McCann in the first inning, which scored Bo Bigham from third base. Collin Kuhn added a solo home run — his second of the series — in the sixth inning to give Arkansas some breathing room.
The second game of the doubleheader will begin at 2:45 p.m.
Arkansas can wrap up a spot in the eight-team SEC Tournament with a win.
— Robbie Neiswanger • Arkansas News Bureau
