Box Score

The LMU baseball team (8-5) scored first and led 1-0 headed to the bottom of the sixth on Friday, but Arkansas (8-2) scored twice in the sixth off of LMU starter Colin Welmon to saddle the right hander with the loss and claim a 2-1 victory from Baum Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark. LMU has now suffered three one-run losses this year, including two in Welmon starts.

Welmon went 5.2 innings, allowing the two runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out five before falling to 2-2. Junior Michael Silva was outstanding in relief, going 2.1 innings and striking out four batters.

LMU's lone run came in the fourth inning as David Fletcher led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Tanner Donnels. An errant pickoff throw from right-hander Trey Killian allowed Fletcher to take third before David Edwards lifted a sacrifice fly to centerfield to put the Lions on the board. Killian eventually took a no-decision after throwing 3.2 innings and allowing one run on four hits in his first start of the season.

The lead stuck until the sixth inning when Welmon issued a leadoff walk to Andrew Benintendi. The free pass came back to haunt the right-hander as a groundout on a hit-and-run moved the runner to second with one out. Benintendi did well to read a ball in the dirt on the ensuing play, moving to third and scoring when Cassidy Brown fired wide of the bag and had the ball roll down the left field line. A second walk, this one to Tyler Spoon, allowed the go-ahead run to reach before another groundout moved the runner to second with two out. Bobby Wernes, who had struck out in his two previous at bats against Welmon, came up big in his third at bat, punching a single into right field that sent Spoon around third trying to score. Sean Watkins' throw was on line and looked to be on time, but Brown was unable to hold onto the baseball as Spoon slid in safely with what proved to be the winning run.

Zach Jackson was impressive in relief for Arkansas, throwing the final 5.1 innings and allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out five. The right-hander earned the victory and improved to 2-0 on the season.

The Lions and Razorbacks will continue the three-game series tomorrow at 1:05 p.m. PT.