AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn Tigers (14-8) fell to the Arkansas Razorbacks (19-2) 6-5 Friday night at Plainsman Park in Auburn.
It was a back-and-forth affair all night. The Tigers scored in the bottom of the first, and the Razorbacks answered in the top of the second. No lead was safe as the game featured four ties and five lead changes.
Ryder Helfrick’s ninth inning home run over the monster was the difference for the Razorbacks. The pinch hitter spoiled an excellent relief showing from Aubunr pitcher John Armstrong.
Chase Allsup started on the mound for the Tigers and had a solid outing. He went six innings, recording five strikeouts and allowing three earned runs. Outside of the three runs allowed the third inning, he was superb.
Armstrong was equally impressive in relief, allowing one earned run and recording four strikeouts in 2.1 innings of action. He had allowed zero earned runs until Helfrick’s homer in the ninth.
Auburn’s bats were hot all night. Seven of nine leadoff hitters reached base for the Tigers, whose offense went for three runs against Razorbacks ace Brady Tygart. Tygart went just 3.2 innings before Koty Frank come on in relief. The bats cooled off late, and could not get it done late.
Cooper Weiss continued his tear, getting on base five times in five plate appearances. The Tigers’ shortstop walked three times, singled, doubled, and stole three bases. His stellar Friday night on the basepaths helped a Tigers team that struggled with runners in scoring position. Weiss, however, was one of three Tigers tagged out on the basepaths. That number certainly did not help their chances.
Razorbacks’ first baseman Ben McLaughlin got their offense going with a solo homer to right in the second inning. He also made an incredible play to end a bases loaded Tigers rally in the seventh.
The series wraps up tomorrow at 2 p.m. Watch on SEC Network+ or listen on the Auburn Sports Network.
