FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Third baseman Jared Sprague-Lott and catcher Hudson White each hit home runs to help No. 3 Arkansas to a 6-4 Opening Day victory over James Madison at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville on Friday.
On a bone-chilling afternoon, the Razorbacks' bats were hot — recording nine hits and scoring six consecutive runs in the game's first three innings.
But the win didn't come without some early drama.
Arkansas starting pitcher Hagen Smith walked and hit James Madison's first two batters, and infielder Fenwick Trimble crushed a three-run home run to center field to put the Dukes up 3-0 in the top of the first inning.
Smith, a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist in 2023, pitched only one inning for the Hogs and allowed three runs on one hit with three strikeouts and two walks.
The Razorbacks quickly got to work with their bats and rallied back, scoring two runs in three consecutive innings to start the game.
First baseman Ben McLaughlin started the Hogs' scoring with an RBI single to left, which scored right fielder Kendall Diggs.
A few batters later, second baseman Peyton Holt shot a ball into center field to cut James Madison's lead to 3-2.
Arkansas had two players record multiple hits. Sprague-Lott finished a perfect 2 for 2 at the plate with one home run, two RBI and two walks, while Diggs picked up two hits in four at-bats, including a double in the first inning.
In the bottom of the second inning, Sprague-Lott drove a pitch 364 feet over the left field fence to tie the game, and White followed with a solo home run to give Arkansas a 4-3 lead, its first of the game.
Razorback pitcher Will McEntire replaced Smith on the mound in the top of the second inning and gave a vintage performance over 5.2 innings of action.
The Bryant native shut down the Dukes, allowing one run on three hits with six strikeouts and two walks. McEntire retired six consecutive batters in the fourth and fifth innings.
Arkansas added to its lead in the bottom of the third inning when Sprague-Lott slapped a two-RBI single to right field as Holt and designated hitter Jack Wagner scored to give the Razorbacks a 6-3 lead.
James Madison added one run in the top of the sixth on McEntire on a ground out to short, and pitcher Gage Wood was able to come on in the seventh inning and close it out for the Razorbacks.
Wood faced eight batters over 2.1 innings and picked up four strikeouts while allowing one hit.
Arkansas continues its four-game series against James Madison on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Central. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
For the complete 2024 Razorback baseball schedule, click here.