Wallace hits 2 HR, Arkansas beats Grand Canyon in Stillwater Regional opener

Cayden Wallace’s pair of dwelling runs led Arkansas to a convincing 7-1 win over Grand Canyon on Friday afternoon within the opening recreation of the NCAA Stillwater Regional.

Arkansas, the No. 2 seed within the regional, will subsequent play the winner of host and No. 1 seed Oklahoma State and No. 4 seed Missouri State tomorrow evening. First pitch is ready for six p.m. Saturday, June 4, inside O’Brate Stadium on ESPN+.

The Razorbacks jumped all around the Lopes from the get-go, scoring 5 runs over the primary two innings of play on Friday. Wallace’s first dwelling run of the day got here with two outs within the backside of the primary as he deposited an 0-1 pitch over the wall in left middle to place Arkansas up, 1-0.

Arkansas continued to tee off on Grand Canyon starter Daniel Avitia, scoring 4 extra within the backside of the second to open a five-run benefit. The Hogs’ offensive outburst got here with two outs and included two RBI singles in addition to a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch.

GCU’s Avitia, the Western Athletic Convention Pitcher of the 12 months and Freshman of the 12 months, lasted simply 1 2/3 innings whereas permitting 5 runs on 4 hits and three walks.

Wallace took Lopes reliever Blake Reilly yard within the backside of the fourth, swatting his second dwelling run of the day over the wall in left as soon as once more. The Greenbrier, Ark., native completed the sport with two hits and three RBI, recording his third profession two-homer recreation within the Razorbacks’ win.

Michael Turner additionally tallied a number of hits and runs batted in on Friday. Arkansas’ veteran catcher racked up three RBI on three hits, his team-leading seventh three-hit efficiency of the season.

Wallace and Turner’s massive afternoon backed Connor Noland’s spectacular begin on the mound. The Hogs’ ace twirled seven innings of one-run ball with 4 strikeouts to earn his sixth win of the season and card his team-leading eighth high quality begin of the 12 months.

Kole Ramage was the one different pitcher Arkansas used within the ballgame as he emerged from the bullpen to safe Friday’s end result. The appropriate-hander struck out three over two scoreless innings and preserved the Hogs’ 7-1 win.

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