Bryant, Ark., native Logan Chambers logged a second consecutive two-hit game in his home state and scored three runs to lead the MSU (18-26) offense, which managed eight hits against an Arkansas pitching staff that entered the game with a 3.08 ERA and .202 opponent average, both tops in the nation.
The Razorbacks (39-7) scored on a two-out error in the third and Chambers slugged his third homer of the year in the fifth for the 1-1 tie.
Arkansas added two runs in the fifth on three walks, a single and sac fly with an error mixed in, then hit a home run, double and single for a two-run sixth and 5-1 lead.
Chambers singled, moved up on Carter Bergman’s double and scored on a Tyler Epstein sac fly to make it 5-2 in the seventh, and the Hogs immediately answered with three runs thanks to three walks, two singles and a sac fly for an 8-2 margin.
The Bears rallied for a three-run ninth, beginning with Nick Rodriguez slugging a leadoff home run as part of a two-hit day that ran his reached base streak to 25 games. Chambers followed with a walk, scored on an Epstein double, who then scored MSU’s final run on a wild pitch.
Hunter Day got the start for the Bears and tossed 2.2 innings while allowing three singles and an unearned run. Reed Metz (1-3) followed and took the loss, and the Bears used six pitchers in the game.
The Bears return home for a May 3-5 series with Murray State. Game times are 6:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
