Arkansas baseball drops 14-inning marathon to Oklahoma State
ARLINGTON, Texas — A sluggish offensive performance turned into a wasted opportunity and a marathon loss for Arkansas baseball Saturday night.
The Razorbacks (4-2) couldn’t capitalize on another gem from their starting pitcher, with Oklahoma State (4-2) rallying for one run in the bottom of the ninth and walking off in the 14th inning for a 2-1 win.
The decisive blow came off a suicide squeeze by Lane Forsythe, scoring Donovan LaSalle. The bunt was set up by an untimely error from Jared Sprague-Lott at third base, putting runners on second and third with just one out.
Here are three observations from the Arkansas loss.
Quiet night for the Arkansas baseball bats
Arkansas has now failed to score more than five runs in its last four games, and the Hogs left 15 runners on base with just eight hits against the Cowboys.
More: Arkansas baseball live score updates vs. Oklahoma State: Hogs face Cowboys in Arlington
More: Brilliant Hagen Smith, clutch Peyton Holt power Arkansas baseball past Oregon State
Starting pitcher Brian Holiday struck out six Razorbacks and only needed 83 pitches to get through six innings. Gabe Davis threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings out the bullpen.
Outside of a 15-run performance in the second game of the James Madison series, Arkansas is averaging just 3.8 runs per game. It's been a tough start to the season for a Hogs' offense that went 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position against the Cowboys. Five starters are now hitting below .200.
Hogs might have three ace-like starting pitchers
Hagen Smith and Mason Molina were both preseason All-Americans, but Tygart has been Arkansas' most reliable arm through the first two weekends.
The junior righty tossed six scoreless innings against the Pokes, striking out six batters and giving up just three hits with two walks. His devastating curveball complimented a fastball that consistently touched 93 mph.
Tygart is now 2-0 on the season with a 0.82 ERA. He didn't provide the same electricity as Smith did Friday, but Tygart appears poised for a big year.
Bullpen arms continue strong starts to 2024
Koty Frank, Gabe Gaeckle, Stone Hewlett and Colin Fisher combined to pitch seven innings without giving up an earned run. Fisher took the loss, but he still has a 0.00 ERA on the season. He struck out six Oklahoma State batters in 2 1/3 innings.
Frank missed more than three months of last season with a torn lat muscle, but he looks better than ever. The righty struck out five batters in 1 2/3 innings of relief, and he still hasn't given up a hit this season in five innings of work.
Gaeckle was unlucky to give up three runs last weekend, but the freshman was electric against the Cowboys with six strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings. Hewlett did his job by coming in and getting a lefty out in his only action.
The lone blemish on the night came from Jake Faherty, who blew the save in the ninth inning fresh off closing out the Hogs' win over Oregon State Friday.
Up Next
Arkansas will finish the weekend Sunday with a 1 p.m. start. Mason Molina will be on the mound as the Hogs face Michigan, who is 0-2 in Texas.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas baseball drops 14-inning marathon to Oklahoma State
