Razorbacks 2, Crimson Tide 1: Killian Killed It

The Hogs knocked home just enough runs to support a great pitching outing by Trey Killian, who threw his second complete game in as many outings, to get the victory.

Killian, the star of the game without question, threw a complete game four hitter while allowing only one run and picking up his first win of the season. It was the type of heroic outing the Diamond Hogs need to get some momentum going forward on the season. It was also a vintage Dave Van Horn coached game. The Razorbacks played matchups and small ball to plate two and get the victory.

The Crimson Tide drew first blood in the top of the 3rd. Killian walked Alabama's nine hole hitter to lead-off the inning. After a sac bunt and a ground out to the shortstop, Ben Moore hit a texas-leaguer down the right field line that found no man's land. That brought home Alabama's first run of the game. Moore then ended the inning by getting thrown out by Jake Wise while trying to steal second.

The Razorback bats were held in check by Alabama starting pitcher Justin Kamplain until the bottom of the 7th. Kamplain forced the first two outs of the inning with no trouble. And then, something happened that we haven't seen from this Razorback team this year, two out hitting. Back-to-back-to-back singles by Krisjon Wilkerson, Bobby Wernes and Michael Bernal generated the one run the Hogs managed in the 7th. Bernal's single scored Wilkerson. Clark Eagan drew a walk to load the bases, but Joe Serrano flew out the right to end the inning.

Alabama pitcher Thomas Burrows came out of the pen to get the last out of the 7th and then he got knocked around in the eighth. He walked Brian Anderson to lead off the inning. A sacrifice bunt by Tyler Spoon moved Anderson to second, but Alabama intentionally walked Jake Wise to keep the force play intact. Eric Fisher stepped into the box after entering the game as a defensive replacement for Blake Baxendale at first base in the previous inning. Fisher lined a single into left which scored Anderson from second and gave the Hogs the lead they never relinquished. The Hogs looked to score more, but pinch hitter Andrew Benintendi flied out to shallow right and Wise was thrown out at home trying to score from third for the inning ending double play.

Killian pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, including striking out the final batter of the game. His final line was: CG, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K.

A season high number of Hog fans turned out for the Saturday battle. Paid attendance was 9,036 and actual was 5,644. This continued the trend this season of paid attendance being substantially higher that actual attendance.

The rubber match of the three game series is set for a 1:05 p.m. first pitch tomorrow. The game will be televised by Cox Sports Television.