After struggling at the plate in three straight losses, Friday night in Fayetteville, it was the Ole Miss pitching that fell apart.
Arkansas hit four home runs and two triples to gorge the visiting Rebels 12-2 in a game called in seven innings by the 10-run mercy rule.
The loss was the Rebels fourth straight since coming back to beat Georgia from eight runs down in that series’ opening game last week in Oxford. While strikeouts were the big problem in the two losses to Georgia and again Tuesday night at Trustmark against rival Mississippi State in Pearl, pitching did in the sliding Rebels Friday. Ole Miss to 10-9 in the SEC and 31-16 overall. Arkansas improves to 9-9 in the league and 31-16 overall.
Arkansas took control in the bottom of the second off a 3-run home run from nine-hole hitter TJ Pompey off Ole Miss starter Hunter Elliott.
Camden Kozeal hit a two-run shot in the third to up the lead to 5-0. A solo homer by Kuhio Aloy made it 6-0.
Ole Miss got on the board with a solo home run by Judd Utermark.
Any chance to get closer ended in the Hog fifth. Five runs came across. Nolan Souza hit a leadoff triple to start it off. Ryder Helfrick’s 3-run bomb ended the rally that upped the Razorbacks to an 11-1 lead.
Ole Miss avoided a run-rule in the top of the seventh when Austin Fawley homered to make it 11-2.
Arkansas got the game ending run in the bottom half of the seventh for the 10-run rule.
Elliott suffered his worst outing of the season. He lasted just 2.1 innings, allowing five runs off five hits, including two home runs.
Three relievers were banged for seven runs from two more homers and two triples.
Ole Miss changed its lineup with Dom Decker moving down from leadoff to seventh. It didn’t change the result. Arkansas pitcher Hunter Dietz struck out the side to open the game. He went six innings, allowed four hits and struck out nine.
Ole Miss struck out twice more in the seventh inning to make it 11 for the game and 54 combined over the last four games.
Besides the two solo homers, Will Furness and Hunter Paino and Collin Reuter had singles. Ahoy had three hits for Arkansas.
