Arkansas wins in 10 innings to take series

Arkansas secured a road series victory over Florida with a 3-1 win on Sunday at McKethan Stadium.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Arkansas defeated fifth-ranked Florida 3-1 in 10 innings Sunday at McKethan Stadium to win the series against the Gators.

In Friday’s series opener, Florida handed Ryne Stanek (6-3, 2.52 ERA) his third loss of the season, but the No. 21 Razorbacks rebounded to win the next two games and secured their first road series victory since defeating Mississippi State in extra innings on March 25.

Arkansas gave Randall Fant the nod against the Gators Saturday and the junior left-hander allowed one run in three innings of work. The Razorbacks scored four runs in the fifth inning to take a 5-1 lead and Brandon Moore and Barrett Astin combined to pitch six scoreless innings to hold the lead. Moore got the victory to improve to 4-1 on the season.

In Sunday’s rubber match, DJ Baxendale started and allowed just one run in 7 1/3 innings pitched. Preston Tucker tied the game 1-1 with a RBI fielder’s choice in the eighth inning. Both teams were scoreless in the ninth, but Arkansas broke the tie in the 10th inning.

Michael Gunn hit a pinch hit RBI single to give Arkansas a 2-1 lead and Dominic Ficociello hit into a RBI fielder’s choice to extend the lead to 3-1 over the Gators (33-12, 12-9 SEC).

Colby Suggs pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings to earn his fourth win and Barrett Astin earned his seventh save of the season by retiring the side in order in the home half of the 10th inning.

The Razorbacks advanced to 31-13 overall and 11-10 in conference play with the series victory and are back in the discussion to host a regional. Arkansas returns to Baum Stadium on Tuesday and Wednesday for two midweek games with Missouri before hosting South Carolina for a weekend conference series.