FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team scored seven runs in the sixth inning Friday on its way to defeating No. 3-ranked Arkansas, 7-3, at Baum-Walker Stadium at George Cole Field.
 
Arkansas (5-3) scored first, picking up a run in the bottom of the third inning. Southeastern (5-5) strung together three hits off Razorback starting pitcher Connor Noland in the top of the inning but had nothing to show for it. In the bottom of the inning, Razorback center fielder Zack Gregory pulled a one-out double into the gap in right-center and eventually scored on a two-out single off the bat of Cayden Wallace.
 
Noland struggled in the sixth. He hit SLU leadoff hitter Evan Keller with a pitch to open up the inning. After Tyler Finke was retired on a bang-bang play at first base, Rhett Rosevear (RBI) and Preston Faulkner both singled to chase Noland from the game.
 
The Razorback brought in their closer, Kole Ramage, to snuff out the rally, but Bryce Grizzaffi greeted him with a run-scoring single to right. Ramage then issued back-to-back walks to Shea Thomas and Jake Johnson (RBI), mixing in a wild pitch.
 
Reliever Issac Bracken did not have much better success, hitting Christian Garcia with a pitch (RBI). With two outs, Bracken walked Keller to plate another run. Finke greeted left-hander Zack Morris with a two-run single down the right-field line to close out the scoring.
 
Lion starting pitcher Will Kinzeler backed up the offensive explosion by tossing a scoreless sixth, striking out a batter and getting a double-play ground ball after issuing a one-out walk.
 
Arkansas picked up a pair of runs in the seventh, but reliever Gage Trahan retired eight of the nine batters he faced to close out the game.
 
Kinzeler (2-0) earned the win, allowing one run on five hits in six innings of work. He walked a pair and struck out five. Trahan earned his second save in as many games, striking out three in 2.2 innings of scoreless relief. Noland (1-1) suffered the loss, allowing three runs on seven hits in 5.1 innings pitched.
 
Faulkner and Finke picked up a pair of hits each for the Lions.
 
UP NEXT
Following a schedule change, Southeastern will wrap up its series against the Razorbacks with a Saturday doubleheader. The first game will begin at 12 p.m. with the second game to follow approximately 45 minutes after game one's completion.
 
Both games will air on the SEC Network+. Other options to follow the action include live statistics or the @LionUpBaseball Twitter account. Links to video and stats are available on the baseball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
 
Redshirt junior right-hander Hayden Robb (0-0, 4.50) draws the Lions' starting assignment in Saturday's opening game against Arkansas freshman left-hander Hagen Smith (1-1, 3.24). Southeastern will start senior right-hander Hunter O'Toole (0-1, 7.20) in the finale opposite Razorback sophomore right-hander Jaxon Wiggins (1-0, 3.27).
 
RADIO SHOW
The next episode of Inside Southeastern Baseball with Matt Riser, presented by Pour House Pizza and Beer Garden, is slated for Monday at 12 p.m. from the restaurant in downtown Hammond. Fans can listen to every show online at www.LionSports.net/ListenLive and via the Lions Gameday Experience, MyTuner Radio or Mixlr apps. The MyTuner Radio app is compatible with the Apple CarPlay software available in most newer automobiles.
 
LIONS GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE APP
The Lions Gameday Experience app puts audio, stats, video, social media and more in the hands of fans. Those in attendance can also check in to earn reward points redeemable for Southeastern-related prizes. Available for both Android and iOS devices, it can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play or by following the link www.LionSports.net/App.
 
DIAMOND CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the baseball program are encouraged to join the Diamond Club. Lion baseball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Diamond Club and S Club (baseball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern baseball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
  
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Lions Baseball, follow @LionUpBaseball or @MattRiser17 on Twitter, @LionUpBaseball on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.