FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Hudson White, Ben McLaughlin, Wehiwa Aloy, and Kendall Diggs all hit home runs, and No. 5 Arkansas opened the NCAA Fayetteville Regional in rollercoaster fashion with a 17-9 victory over Southeast Missouri State on Friday.
The Razorbacks, who entered the NCAA Tournament with the worst batting average (.268), dazzled at the plate against the Ohio Valley Conference champion Redhawks. Arkansas finished with 16 hits and poured in eight runs in the game's first two frames to take a commanding lead.
White jumpstarted the Hogs' offense with his seventh home run of the season, sending a pitch 334 feet over the right field fence to give Arkansas a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
Shortly after, the Hogs got to SEMO's starting pitcher, Haden Dow, to break the game open.
In the second inning, left fielder Peyton Holt, Arkansas's team leader in batting average, slapped an RBI single to right field to put the Razorbacks ahead 2-0.
A few batters later, third baseman Jared Sprauge-Lott blooped a curveball into center field for two runs, and McLaughlin hit his eighth home run of the season to cap a seven-run inning.
Arkansas pitcher Mason Molina started on the mound and tossed 2.2 innings, allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts and four walks.
Southeast Missouri State got to Molina in the third inning. Shortstop Ben Palmer hit a three-run home run to get the Redhawks on the board, and right fielder Josh Cameron picked up a sacrifice fly to cut the Razorbacks' lead to 8-4.
That's when things started to unravel for Arkansas.
With Will McEntire pitching for the Hogs, center fielder Michael Mugan brought home a run on a fielder's choice, and Cameron hit a three-run home run to tie the game 8-8 in the fifth inning.
Arkansas's mid-game collapse marked the third time since 1999 that a team blew an 8-0 lead in the NCAA Tournament.
The Hogs quickly responded with an exclamation in the sixth inning, as shortstop Wehiwa Aloy and right fielder Kendall Diggs hit back-to-back home runs to regain the lead 10-8.
SEMO added a score in the seventh inning, but Arkansas created separation in the bottom of the frame thanks to McLaughlin's second three-run home run of the game.
White followed with his second home run of the game in the eighth inning, and pitcher Jack Faherty shut down the Redhawks' bats to seal the victory for the Razorbacks.
The Hogs' pitching staff combined for 13 strikeouts in the win, setting a new single-season record. Additionally, Arkansas moved to a program-best 34-3 at home this season.
Arkansas continues regional action on Saturday against Kansas State. Coverage from Baum-Walker Stadium begins at 8 p.m. on ESPNU.
NCAA Fayetteville Regional schedule
(Dates and times are subject to change; All times Central)
Friday, May 31
Game 1: Arkansas 17, Southeast Missouri State 9
Game 2: Kansas State 19, Louisiana Tech 4
Saturday, June 1
Game 3: Southeast Missouri State vs. Louisiana Tech Loser (2 p.m. on ESPN+)
Game 4: Arkansas vs. Kansas State (8 p.m. on ESPNU)
Sunday, June 2
Game 5: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser (1 p.m.)
Game 6: Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner (6 p.m.)
Monday, June 3 (if necessary)
Game 7: if the Game 5 winner wins Game 6 (TBA)