Box score


FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. 24-ranked Arkansas scored multiple runs in three innings, highlighted by a five-run third, en route to a 12-1 win over University of South Alabama baseball.

Arkansas (7-0) jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, and built an eight-run cushion after three frames.

Andrew Benintendi led off the bottom of the first with a walk and advanced to third on a double to right field by Joe Serrano. Jaguar right-hander Matt Bell retired the next two batters in order via strikeout and popup to first before hitting Eric Fisher with a pitch to load the bases. KJ Wilkerson followed with a two-run single to right field for a 2-0 Arkansas lead. Brett McAfee then delivered a two-run double to right field to double to Razorback lead to 4-0.

Arkansas left-hander Jalen Beeks issued consecutive walks to start the top of the second, but rolled a 6-4-3 double play ball off the bat of Erik Hindmon, before Adam Ballew singled with two outs back up the middle to score Cole Gleason and cut the Arkansas lead to 4-1 which snapped Beeks' scoreless-inning streak at 13 1/3 innings.

Tyler Spoon reached on a leadoff single in the bottom of the third, and the Razorbacks loaded the bases with one out on consecutive singles. Arkansas then extended its lead to 5-1 on an RBI groundout to third off the bat of Jake Wise. A two-out walk to Michael Bernal loaded the bases for Benintendi who also walked to force Wilkerson home from third for a 6-1 Arkansas lead. Serrano followed with a bases-clearing double to the left-center gap to push the Razorback lead to 9-1 and chase Bell from the game.

Arkansas added the final runs of the game in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI double by Serrano, RBI single by Brian Anderson and sacrifice fly off the bat of Spoon.

Beeks (3-0) allowed just one run on three hits with six strikeouts and three walks in six innings to earn his third win in as many starts. Bell (1-1) allowed nine runs on seven hits with four walks and two strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings pitched.

Matt Bolger went 2-for-3 to lead South Alabama at the plate. Ballew finished with one hit and an RBI, and Davis Knapp added a hit. Serrano went 4-for-4 with three doubles, four RBI and two runs scored to lead the Razorbacks offensively.

The series will conclude Saturday with a doubleheader, beginning with game two at 12:05 p.m.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).