FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Louisiana Tech and #10 Arkansas took a 2-2 ballgame into the seventh inning, but a controversial two-out base hit in the bottom of the frame, gave the Razorbacks the lead en route to an eventual 4-2 victory on Friday evening from Baum-Walker Stadium in front of 8,246.
 
The Bulldogs (9-4) found themselves an out away from taking the 2-2 tie into the top of the eighth inning. However, Arkansas (11-1) pinch-hitter Trey Harris hit a high chopper down the third baseline. The third base umpire decidedly pointed foul multiple times, but the ball was ruled fair, allowing two runs to score.
 
Head coach Lane Burroughs was ejected for questioning the ruling again after the umpires had convened and deemed the ball fair.
 
In the ninth, the Bulldogs brought the tying run to the plate on three separate occasions after Parker Bates led things off with a walk. However, Arkansas closer Matt Cronin retired the next three batters, wrapping up his fourth save of the season.
 
Tech starter Matt Miller held the Razorbacks at bay throughout his 5.2 innings of work. Miller gave up two runs in the first, but settled in and allowed just four hits over his next 4+ innings of work. The senior captain allowed just the two earned runs, while scattering five hits and striking out four. Miller did walk a season-high five batters, but kept the Bulldogs in the ballgame throughout.
 
Trailing 2-0, the Bulldogs got to Razorback starter Isaiah Campbell in the top of the fourth. Mason Mallard started the rally with a one-out single to right field. Then, sophomore Steele Netterville blasted a double down the left field line, scoring Mallard (who was off with the pitch) all the way from first, cutting the Arkansas lead to 2-1. The very next batter in junior center fielder Parker Bates, shot a single into center, scoring Netterville and tying the game at two.
 
Freshman Beau Billings entered the game in the bottom of the sixth with runners on second and third, and calmly kept the score even, inducing a ground out to third from leadoff man Casey Martin.
 
Kyle Griffen (2-2) was charged with the loss after the two runs that scored in the seventh were his responsibility. The left-hander quickly recorded the first two outs of the inning, but allowed two runners to reach – one via an HPB and one via a walk with the two outs.
 
Fincher entered in relief of Griffen, and allowed the controversial go-ahead base hit, but struck out a pair and worked a scoreless ninth, keeping Tech within two.
 
Hunter Wells (2-for-4) and Parker Bates (2-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 walk) paced the Tech offense on the evening,
 
Arkansas starter Isaiah Campbell made it through six innings, striking out 10, while allowing seven hits. The big right-hander allowed two runs (both earned) and did not walk a batter.
 
Relief pitcher Kevin Kopps picked up the win, tossing two scoreless innings, while not allowing a hit and striking out three.
 
The Bulldogs and Razorbacks return to action for game two of the three-game weekend set tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. Senior LHP Logan Robbins is slated to make the start for Tech. The game will be streamed live on SECN+.