The Leathernecks were very excited.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>NECKS WIN NECKS WIN NECKS WIN WIU BASEBALL DEFEATS #1 ARKANSAS 7-5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>— Leatherneck Baseball (@WIU_Baseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIU_Baseball/status/303260342220382208">February 17, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Here's the story from UA:
FAYETTEVILLE – Jameson Henning and Brent Turner each had two hits, while Steve Kedroski drove in two runs as Western Illinois defeated Arkansas, 7-5, on Sunday afternoon at Baum Stadium.
Arkansas, which won two of three games in the series, falls to 2-1 with the loss, while Western Illinois improves its record to 1-2.
Mason Pingel (1-0) got the win on the mound for the Leathernecks, throwing five innings and giving up three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts. Brian Loconsole picked up his first save of the season, tossing 1.2 hitless innings.
Trent Daniel (0-1) suffered the loss, giving up six runs, only three of which were earned, on eight hits and striking out two in 3.1 innings. Brandon Moore came out of the bullpen and pitched well, allowing just one run on one hit with five strikeouts in 5.2 innings.
Joe Serrano and Tyler Spoon each had three hits to lead the Razorbacks at the plate. Spoon drove in two runs and scored twice. Brian Anderson recorded two hits and drove in three runs, while Matt Vinson was 2-for-4 with three runs scored.
Henning and Turner each had two hits and a RBI for the Leathernecks. Kedroski went 1-for-3 with two RBI.
Western Illinois struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the first. Turner led off the game with a single to left and a walk to Dan Dispensa put runners on first and second. Henning then laid down a sacrifice bunt to put runners on second and third. Kedroski plated both runners with a two-RBI single to center field to give the Leathernecks an early lead.
Arkansas quickly answered back, scoring twice in the bottom of the first. Vinson reached on an infield single to start the inning and then moved to second on a wild pitch. After a strikeout of Jacob Morris, Spoon lined a single to center, scoring Vinson. A balk advanced Spoon to second and with two outs, Anderson doubled off the wall in left field to score Spoon with the tying run.
The Leathernecks regained the lead with a run in the top of the second. Zach Burling singled to center to begin the inning and then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Turner. With two out, Henning reached on an infield single to third. A passed ball allowed Burling to score WIU’s third run of the game.
Arkansas tied the game for the second time in the bottom of the third. Vinson drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second after a sacrifice bunt by Morris. Spoon recorded his second RBI single of the day with a base hit to left to score Vinson and even the game at three.
Western Illinois took advantage of three Razorback errors to score three runs in the top of the fourth. Erik Maki had a bunt single to start the inning and a sacrifice bunt by Burling advanced Maki to second. Turner then singled to left, scoring Maki. Vinson’s throw to the plate hit off Maki and got away, allowing Turner to advance to second on the throwing error. Dispensa then went to the opposite field and singled to left to put runners on the corners. Henning reached on a fielding error by Anderson at short, which allowed Turner to score and moved Dispensa to second base. The Leathernecks then executed a double steal and catcher Jean Ramirez’s throw to third was high, allowing Dispensa to score on the throwing error and giving the Leathernecks a 6-3 lead.
WIU added an insurance run in the top of the seventh. Henning singled to center field to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kedroski. A ground out by Jake Moore to second moved Henning to third. Travis Stafford drew a walk to put runners on the corners. Stafford tried to steal second, but was caught in a rundown between first and second. However, during the run down, Henning scored from third to make the score 7-3.
Arkansas trimmed into the lead with two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Vinson singled to right field to start the inning and advanced to second on a wild pitch. With one out, Spoon walked to put runners on the first and second. McAfee moved both runners to scoring position on a ground out to short. Anderson drove home both runners with a double to center field to cut the lead to 7-5.
The Razorbacks were able to put a runner on base in both the eighth and ninth innings, but couldn’t get any closer as the Leathernecks held on for a 7-5 win.
Arkansas and New Orleans open a two-game series on Tuesday with first pitch at 3:05 p.m. Single-game and season tickets are available for the 2013 Razorback baseball season. Single-game tickets are $10 for reserved and $8 for general admission, while season tickets are $190 for adults and $140 for University of Arkansas staff, youth and senior citizens. Tickets may be purchased by calling 1-800-982-HOGS (4647) or by visiting the online ticket center at ArkansasRazorbacks.com.