FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. A four-run sixth inning was the difference Saturday night at Baum Stadium as sophomore Jack Kenleys two-out two-RBI single drove in the go-ahead runs to help lead the No. 7 Arkansas Razorbacks to a 7-4 win and series victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide.
What was a pitchers duel early on between Arkansas Kacey Murphy and Alabamas Jake Walters turned into a slugfest in the middle innings as the lead changed hands three times in the fifth and sixth innings. The Hogs were able to take advantage of Alabamas bullpen scoring all four of their runs in the sixth with two outs.
The Tide, which had hit back-to-back homers to start the sixth inning and force Murphy out of the game, led 3-2 going into the bottom half, but could not stave off the Razorback offense after retiring two of the first three batters in the inning.
The rally started with a four-pitch walk to junior Jax Biggers, then a walk to Grant Koch to load the bases. That brought up Kenley, who fouled off five-consecutive pitches after falling behind 0-2.
Kenley was able to put a good swing on a fastball and bloop it into shallow right-centerfield, scoring the tying and go-ahead runs. Kenley, later, singled again to finish the game 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBIs. Its his first multi-hit game of the season.
The win now gives Arkansas (31-13, 12-8 SEC) its fourth conference series victory of the year and keeps it a half game up on Ole Miss for the SEC Western Division lead. Alabama (23-22, 5-15 SEC) drops its ninth of its last 11 games.
Arkansas will go for its seventh series sweep of the year and third in conference play when it faces off with Alabama one final time on Sunday at Baum Stadium. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. and will be televised on SEC Network+.
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