New Look Razorback Lineup Continues Record Winning Streak Over San Jose State

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas beat the San Jose State Spartans 5-1 in the first game of a two-game series against at Baum-Walker Stadium, extending a program-best 22nd straight win inside the confines of Baum.

"[Starter Ben Bybee] really got us off to a good start," coach Dave Van Horn said. "I know they hit a home run but sometimes that just happens. I really liked what I saw from our whole pitching staff."

Van Horn wanted to get a few of the non-regulars some at-bats thus leading to a massive reshuffling of his lineup. Kendall Diggs, Hudson White and Jared Sprague-Lott all got the day off. Nolan Souza made his college debut at third base while Peyton Holt made his first appearance in the outfield across his two years at Arkansas, getting the start in right. Hudson Polk saw his first playing time in over 3 weeks, getting the start as the designated hitter.

Bybee got the start on the mound, going five innings and retiring the final 10 batters he faced, allowing just one run and striking out four. His only blemish was a second inning homer off the bat of Matt Spear that traveled 442 feet to give San Jose State an early 1-0 lead.

Despite all the new names in the batting order, it was familiar names that did the damage for the Hogs. The Razorbacks responded with three runs in the bottom of the second courtesy of a Peyton Stovall RBI single followed by a Nolan Souza two-run double of the top of the right-center field wall.

Ben McLaughlin and Wehiwa Aloy both hit solo homers to extend the Razorback lead to 5-1 by the end of the fifth. Aloy's 2-for-4 day tied him with Diggs for the team lead most muti-hit games (9). He also raised his average to .299 after starting the season at .190 through 10 games.

Christian Foutch and Gage Wood picked up right where Bybee left off, each tossing a 1-2-3 inning of their own. Foutch hasn't been scored on since his season debut opening weekend against James Madison. His ERA is down to 0.93 in 9 2/3 innings.

"I just know what to expect coming out of the bullpen," Foutch said. "One of the biggest things too is that we have so many guys behind us to where if I don’t get the job done, the guy behind me will. I just go out there and do the best I can."

Others that contributed include Jayson Jones and Peyton Holt. Jones got on base three times in his first start since March 16 against Missouri. Holt walked and singled and barely missed his first homer of the year in a deep flyout to straightaway center.

The streak of 16 straight Spartans retired ended when Hunter Dietz issued a lead-off walk to Theo Hardy. He struck out Spear before leaving in the middle of the next at-bat with an apparent injury. Dietz was making just his second appearance of the season after recovering from an elbow injury. Stone Hewlett got the final four outs.

The series against the Spartans concludes Wednesday 1 p.m. due to inclement weather after being originally scheduled for 3 p.m. The game will be streamed on SEC Network+.

HOG FEED:

• Calipari's lawyer speaks out after conflicting reports arise on contract situation with Razorbacks

• In midst of decades of coaching turnover in other programs, leadership, Dave Van Horn has been Razorbacks athletics' one constant

• Calipari had reasons other than frustration with Kentucky athletics, fans to come to Arkansas

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