Arkansas baseball bounces back, sweeps Texas Tech in midweek series
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A dramatic rally and a dominant bullpen powered Arkansas baseball to midweek sweep over Texas Tech.
The No. 2 Razorbacks (32-5) erased a seven-run deficit Tuesday night and ground out a victory Wednesday over the Red Raiders (26-13) to extend their home winning streak to 25 games. Arkansas remains unbeaten in midweek action this season with a 9-0 record.
Here are four observations from the Arkansas sweep.
Arkansas baseball bounces back
The Hogs couldn't have envisioned a worse start to Tuesday's game against the Red Raiders. After scoring just three runs across two losses to Alabama to close a weekend series loss, Texas Tech jumped out to a 6-0 lead through the first two innings.
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Arkansas scored once in the fourth and erupted for six runs in the fifth inning to tie the game. The Razorbacks fell behind again before a game-tying double by Hudson White, and they eventually walked off with a 9-8 victory in the bottom of the ninth on a sacrifice fly from Nolan Souza.
The nine runs represented Arkansas' biggest scoring output against a Power 5 team since March 17 against Missouri. The approach was much-improved from the weekend series against the Crimson Tide as Arkansas drew 12 walks in the series. Seven walks played a vital role in Wednesday's 5-4 victory.
Ben McLaughlin is Mr. Consistent
Other Arkansas hitters have had bigger highs and hotter streaks this season, but McLaughlin has been the most consistent hitter since opening day. Against Texas Tech, Arkansas first baseman went 4-for-6 with two RBIs and two walks.
McLaughlin's two-run homer Tuesday night played a key role in the Hogs' comeback victory, trimming the Texas Tech lead to 7-6 in the bottom of the fifth.
McLaughlin is now hitting .315 and is second on the team with 30 RBIs and 28 runs.
First slip for midweek starters
Coming into the Texas Tech series, Ben Bybee and Colin Fisher had given up three earned runs in seven combined midweek starts. The Red Raiders struck for nine earned runs as Bybee and Fisher could only log 5 1/3 innings.
Bybee was especially off, giving up six runs in 1 1/3 innings Tuesday night. Texas Tech struck for six hits against the righty and forced an early exit in his worst start of the season.
Bullpen picks up the slack
The Arkansas relievers have been dominant all season. Against Texas Tech, nine arms combined to give up three runs and strike out 14 batters in 12 2/3 innings.
The Hogs received strong outings from Parker Coil, Cooper Dossett and Gabe Gaeckle.
Up Next
Arkansas will hit the road this weekend for a three-game series against No. 21 South Carolina. The Gamecocks took two-of-three games against Florida in their previous SEC series.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas baseball sweeps Texas Tech in midweek series
