Live Blog: Razorbacks Look to Clinch Opening Series

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — We'll follow all the action as Arkansas looks to clinch a four-game series Sunday afternoon against James Madison. The Razorbacks got a run-rule win on Saturday, 15-5, and a routine win in the opener Friday afternoon.

The weather will be better for this one. Temperatures are expected to be in the upper 40's, but there are no clouds in the sky. Mason Molina is on the mound for the Hogs while James Madison counters with right-hander Ryan Murphy.

TOP OF FIRST INNING

Molina gets a strikeout to start the game, but then walks the next batter, then gives up a single to Ryan Dooley to put runners on the corner with one out. Molina strikes out the next two batters to escape any problems. Hogs 0, JMU 0

BOTTOM OF FIRST INNING

Razorbacks' bats coming out hot as Hudson White leads off with a double and after Kendall Diggs' line-out to center field, Wehiwa Aloy drills a single that's just not quite enough to get White home, but Dave Van Horn probably expected it. Ben McLaughlin delivers a two-RBI double that was in short left field and the wind grabbed it and the Dukes' left-fielder wasn't able to get it. Wagner hits a shot between third and shortstop to bring in another run. The Hogs are threatening to blow it wide open in the first inning, but Peyton Holt's drive to the fence in right field was caught to end the inning. Hogs 2, JMU 0

TOP OF SECOND INNING

Molina is running through this one quickly, retiring James Madison in order with a pair of strikeouts around a fly ball to center field. Hogs 2, JMU 0

BOTTOM OF SECOND INNING

Nothing from the Razorbacks as Nolan Souza lines out, then Ty Wilmsmeyer delivers a single and gets thrown out at second followed. White struck out to end the inning. Hogs 2, JMU 0

TOP OF THIRD INNING

Molina gets two more strikeouts to run his total to seven in three innings and has only thrown 54 total pitches with 32 strikes. He got out of the inning with no damage and is cruising. Hogs 2, JMU 0

BOTTOM OF THIRD INNING

Razorbacks can't squeeze out another run after getting a lead-off double from Diggs, who can't get anything to push him around. Ben McLaughlin works a walk, but Jack Wagner hits into a double play to end the inning. Hogs 2, JMU 0

TOP OF FOURTH INNING

Two more strikeouts around a single to right field have Molina up to nine for the game. His arm may be starting to show signs of running out of gas as he's up to six walks and pitching coach Matt Hobbs comes out for a discussion. With Stone Hewlett up in the bullpen before a two-RBI double from Wyatt Peifer. Van Horn comes out and Hewlett is coming in with Peifer on second base. and two outs. He gets the first batter on a strikeout, but now the bats need to come alive. Hogs 2, JMU 2

BOTTOM OF FOURTH INNING

This is one Van Horn will probably talk about later. Lovich leads off with a single but can't make it home, even on Nolan Souza's one-out double to the left-field wall. but can't get home and two walks followed to load the bases. That will give the Razorbacks teaching moments. Hogs 2, JMU 2

TOP OF FIFTH INNING

Gabe Gaeckle gets his first game appearance and it didn't take long for him to get fans' attention. He gave up a two-out single before getting the final out on a line shot to center field. Hogs 2, JMU 2

BOTTOM OF FIFTH INNING

Razorbacks go quickly and quietly with Aloy and Ben McLaughlin striking out followed by Jack Wagner's pop-up to the catcher that ended the inning. Hogs 2, JMU 2

TOP OF SIXTH INNING

Gaeckle strikes out the first Dukes' batter looking and two more quick outs picked up the pace of the game considerably. Hogs 2, JMU 2

BOTTOM OF SIXTH INNING

Hogs go in quick order as hitters struggling with James Madison's Joe Vogatsky, who's not giving them a lot to hit through the middle innings. Hogs 2, JMU 2

TOP OF SEVENTH INNING

Razorbacks give up lead with a single followed by a walks, then back-to-back singles gives James Madison the lead and a sacrifice fly before adding a run later on a late attempt to get a runner by Jack Wagner. Jake Faherty came in for Gaeckle and allowed the go-ahead run and finally ended the bleeding with a strikeout, but the Dukes have their first lead of the series. Now we see how the Hogs do from behind. JMU 6, Hogs 2

BOTTOM OF SEVENTH

No answer from Razorbacks with Wilmsmeyer leading off with a strikeout. Vogatsky is still on a roll before Diggs delivers a two-out double to center. Aloy brings him home with a double to center and the call was confirmed on review. McLaughlin drew a walk, then Jack Wagner was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Lovich couldn't get them home, though, with a pop-up to end the inning. JMU 6, Hogs 3

TOP OF EIGHTH INNING

Tate McGuire comes on for Razorbacks, strikes out the first hitter and walked the catcher, Jason Schiavone. McGuire hit the next batter for a couple of runners on before getting a long fly to center that wasn't deep enough to move the runners, but at least there are two outs before loading the bases with another walk with Fenwick Trimble coming to the plate and Van Horn brings in Christian Foutch to pitch. JMU 6, Hogs 3

BOTTOM OF EIGHTH INNING

Hogs go quickly and quietly with a couple of ground ball outs and a fly out. They are down to their final three outs behind by three. JMU 6, Hogs 3

TOP OF NINTH INNING

Foutch strikes out first batter, then gives up a solo homer followed by a single. Another single threatens to bring in a runner but Diggs' throw from right cuts him down at the plate for the second out of the inning. He gets the final out on a strikeout, but the Dukes' lead is bigger. JMU 7, Hogs 3

BOTTOM OF NINTH INNING

White works Vogatsky for a leadoff walk and James Madison brings in Jackson Logar on the mound. Diggs hit a 3-2 pitch to second and White was forced for the first out, then got thrown out trying to take second when the Dukes' catcher dug a low pitch out of the dirt and fired down to second, leaving the Hogs with one out to work with. Aloy's line drive was right at the James Madison second baseman to end the game.

FINAL: JMU 7, Hogs 3