Mississippi State Bulldogs 2, Arkansas Razorbacks 1: No Brooms

There was no 8th inning magic for the Razorbacks this time as the Hogs were unable to complete the sweep against Mississippi State.

Oh, the Hogs had a great chance in the 8th once again. They had the bases loaded with 1 out but couldn't bring anybody home. After Dave Van Horn brought in Chad Spanberger to pinch hit and MSU countered by bringing in a new pitcher and Van Horn countered the counter by switching Carson Shaddy to hit instead of Spanberger, Shaddy struck out looking with the count full. It was a questionable call, but it was the call. Brett McAfee then grounded out to end the inning.

The Bulldogs initially took the lead courtesy of a throwing error by McAfee. The Arkansas shortstop picked up a routine grounder that should have ended the top of the fourth inning, but his throw to first sailed and Reid Humphreys was able to end up at second base. Luke Reynolds singled up the middle in the next at bat to bring Humphreys home.

Arkansas tied the game briefly in the 6th when Bobby Wernes was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs. McAfee nearly gave the Razorbacks a big lead with a line drive into left field on the ensuing at bat, but Reid Humphreys made an unfortunately great diving catch to end the inning. If he'd missed it, the ball would have spent plenty of time rolling on the grass, possibly bringing in all three Hog runners, but it wasn't to be.

Mississippi State took back the lead in the next frame. Jake Vickerson scored from second on an infield single. Michael Bernal made a diving catch to keep the grounder from escaping to the outfield, but seemed to not be aware Vickerson was trying to score from second. Bernal threw to home from his knees but the ball didn't get there in time.

So no sweep for Arkansas but the Razorbacks are still in solid shape and in third place in the SEC West. The Hogs have won five straight SEC series and are still over .500 in SEC play. If you had asked me a month ago if Arkansas would be over .500 altogether at this point, I'd have been iffy, but would have called you crazy to say they'd be over .500 in SEC play.

Arkansas heads to Tuscaloosa for a series vs Alabama next weekend and will return home in two weeks to play Tennessee.