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Jalen Battles hit a two-run home run early in the 10th inning and No.1 Arkansas recovered from a late three-point deficit to defeat Louisiana Tech 9-7 on Friday at Love Field in Ruston, Louisiana.
The circuit of battles against Bulldogs backup pitcher Cade Gibson appeared to bounce off a building well beyond the 315-foot wall in left field. He scored Jacob Nesbit, who was running for Charlie Welch after Welch had a pinch double to lead the round.
Gibson threw three straight balls before Battles took a strike. Battles were looking for a fastball on a 3-1 count.
“I got into the batting count,” Battles said on the Razorback Sports Network’s post-game radio show. “He made a mistake and I made him pay for it.
“I expected a heater. I’m glad he threw one out.
Arkansas first-year right-hander Jaxon Wiggins knocked out Louisiana Tech No.2 and 3 hitters Hunter Wells and Parker Bates to close the game after Taylor Young hit a goal. It was Wiggins’ second save this season.
The Razorbacks (11-0) trailed 7-4 after seven innings, but tied the game with a three-run eighth that included a single hit. Arkansas went through the loaded bases before Zack Gregory was hit by a pitch to force the house to a point and reduce the deficit to 7-5.
Robert Moore followed with a two-run single and two strikeouts to tie the game.
Arkansas came out of a three-point or more deficit for the fifth time this season, including for the weekend’s fourth straight opener. The Razorbacks have also won for the fifth time this year as they lagged behind in the eighth or ninth inning.
“I think sometimes when you start winning and you come from behind you just believe you can come from behind and you do,” Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said. “Obviously it would be nice to play a little more with the head, but we didn’t do well at all tonight outside the bullpen.
“It’s good when things aren’t going well that we have enough firepower to be able to come back.”
The 11-game winning streak is the most important for Arkansas to start a season since its 1996 team started 18-0. The Razorbacks have won 15 straight games since last season, which is also the longest streak since 1996.
Louisiana Tech (8-4) kept the Razorbacks on their toes for much of the game. The Bulldogs scored four runs in the fifth inning against Arkansas starter Peyton Pallette and reliever Ryan Costeiu to take a 4-3 lead.
Bates, a preseason All-American, had a two-run triple in left field against Costeiu to tie the game 3-3. Bates scored on Steele Netterville’s sacrifice flight down center to give the Bulldogs a 4-3 lead.
Cayden Wallace did a home run at the top of the sixth to tie the game 4-4, but Louisiana Tech pushed another run down the sixth on Jorge Corona’s RBI single to score Manny Garcia for a 5- 4.
The Bulldogs scored two more runs to take a 7-4 lead in the seventh when Ben Brantley hit a two-run single with two strikeouts against Elijah Trest. The two runs went to Patrick Wicklander, who allowed 3 runs on 6 hits in a 1 1/3 inning.
Wicklander made one of the game’s key defensive plays in the sixth inning when he covered home plate on a field all the way to the safety net. Wide receiver Casey Opitz threw to Wicklander, who scored Brantley trying to score from third base with bases loaded.
Wicklander knocked out Wells moments later to block the runners in goal position. The Bulldogs beat the Razorbacks 13-9, but left 11 runners on base.
Kevin Kopps pitched scoreless in the eighth and ninth innings to claim his third victory for the Razorbacks. Kopps worked around for a hit in both innings and intentionally walked Bates in the eighth to set up a straight right game with Netterville, who failed to bridle two baseline runners.
Neither team had a hit before Matt Goodheart’s two-run home run down center-right in the fourth inning. Goodheart scored Christian Franklin, who reached on an error.
Wallace doubled up in the next at bat and scored on an RBI single by Brady Slavens to give the Razorbacks a 3-0 no-strikeout lead. Wallace finished the game 2 for 3, reached base 4 times and scored 3 points.
“I just think they have nine real hitters,” Louisiana coach Tech Lane Burroughs said. “It’s a difficult lineup to navigate.”
Pallette pitched more than 4 innings and allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and 2 steps. He took out five.
“He is by far the best arm we have faced all year. It’s not even close, ”Burroughs said. “He’s a real Friday night guy. I really like him.”
Louisiana Tech starter Jonathan Fincher pitched 6 innings and allowed 4 runs on 5 hits and 2 steps, and struck out 8.
The Bulldogs struggled to control throughout the game. Louisiana Tech posted six steps and a pair of relievers, Greg Martinez and Gibson, combined to hit three batters in the final three innings.
“I want our program to be elite and we have the # 1 program, the country team on the ropes and we need someone to step up and be our closest,” Burroughs said. “Right now that’s what we’re missing. Too many gifts at the end of the ball game. “
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