High-scoring innings have been a common theme of the college baseball season’s early stages.
From Alabama’s 12-run comeback to beat Ohio State to Texas’ eight-run inning against Oklahoma State, some teams haven't had trouble knocking off the offseason rust — if anything, they’ve been eager to let the bats do all the talking.
No. 5 Arkansas (8-1, 0-0 SEC) added its hat into the conversation on Friday, beating Charlotte (4-4, 0-0 AAC) 11-10 inspired by a 10-run fourth inning.
The 49ers jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first with three extra-base hits and added four more in the fourth. Outside of the Razorbacks' left fielder Charles Davalan’s home run in the third, Charlotte had all the momentum entering the bottom half of the fourth.
That narrative was erased by the end of the inning. Arkansas right fielder Logan Maxwell started the party with a home run to right center and the Razorbacks didn’t turn back. Five of the next six batters reached base, while the team scored six of its 10 runs with two outs, including shortstop Wehiwa Aloy's three-run double to right center.
WHO ELSE BUT KUHIO ALOY
— Arkansas Baseball (@RazorbackBSB)
Charlotte threw the kitchen sink at Arkansas, using three pitchers in the inning, hoping to stop the bleeding, but it wasn’t enough. Outside of the double-digit runs, the Razorbacks had 16 plate appearances, five singles, three walks, two doubles, two hit-by-pitches and Maxwell’s home run.
The 49ers couldn't scrummage up much after the meltdown, producing zero hits in the last three innings after first baseman Cody Gunderson's home run in the sixth.
The series opening win for Arkansas marks the team’s fourth straight victory of the season.
