Zack Stewart delivered the go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth inning to lift No. 24 Arkansas to a 5-4 win over Missouri in the series opener Thursday night.The Razorbacks improve to 28-15 overall and 10-9 in SEC play, while Missouri falls to 20-22 and 3-16 in conference.
Arkansas fell behind early as Missouri scored three runs before recording an out in the first inning. Starter Hunter Dietz settled in from there, tossing seven shutout innings with eight strikeouts to earn the win.
The Razorbacks got on the board in the fifth on a solo home run by TJ Pompey, then tied the game in the seventh on a two-run single from Carter Rutenbar.
After Nolan Souza drew a two-out walk in the eighth, Stewart followed with a 450-foot blast to right-center to give Arkansas the lead for good.
Missouri added a run in the bottom of the eighth, but Arkansas held on behind late relief from Gabe Gaeckle and Ethan McElvain, who recorded the save.
Arkansas will look to clinch the series Friday, with first pitch set for 7 on SEC Network.
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