FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas – A bottom-of-the-ninth bases loaded walk drawn by Jake Wise scored Brian Anderson as the fourth-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks held off the upset minded Northwestern State Demons 8-7 here Tuesday afternoon the first of a two-game baseball series.
 
The Demons (1-1) led 6-4 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning when standout pitcher Mason Melotakis surrendered three runs off of two Arkansas doubles and a single as the Hogs (4-0) took a 7-6 lead into the ninth inning.

But the Demons fought back to tie the game at 7-7 on a two-out RBI single by third baseman Nick Hinojos to send the game into the bottom of the frame.

“I'm really proud with the way we competed today,” said head coach J.P. Davis.  “Our guys represented our team and University really well today.”

Relief pitcher Fabian Roman (0-1) took the loss after starting the ninth inning.  He was lifted after he walked the only two batters he faced for Jamie Bittle, who walked the bases loaded after getting an infield grounder for the first out of the inning.  Zach Winchester came in and got the next batter to pop out to second before throwing a 3-2 pitch near the zone that was called for a ball and sent the winning run home.

“We competed well out there today,” said Davis.  “Even when we got behind there late, we did a good job of battling back and Nick got the nice hit to tie the game.”

Senior lefty Colin Bear started the game for the Demons on the mound and threw 5.2 innings and allowed four runs on four hits with six strikeouts with three walks.

The Razorbacks cut a 4-0 Demon lead to 4-3 with a three-spot in the bottom of the third.

“Overall, I thought Bear did a good job on the mound,” said Davis.  “For the exception of a couple of bad pitches, I can't complain with how he threw today.”

The Demons broke open a scoreless game in the second inning when Matt Baca led things off by reaching first on a throwing error by the Hog shortstop.  Shaun Hoover followed with a single to left field and Hinojos got an infield single to load the bases with no outs.

Drew Helenihi knocked in the game's first run with a fielder's choice and Ray Frias followed with a one-out single to score Hoover and make it 2-0.  Helenihi scored on a throwing error by the pitcher and Jordan Buckely got a RBI single through the right side to give the Demons a 4-0 lead.

Leading 4-3, Arkansas tied the game with a run in the sixth but the Demons came back with two more in the seventh when Frias singled, stole second, advanced to third when the shortstop couldn't handle the throw from the catcher on the stolen base attempt, and scored on a wild pitch.  Meanwhile, Will Watson, the lead off hitter, walked, stole second, advanced to third off a single by Matt Burns, and scored off a grounder by Nick Purdy.

The Demons put 11 hits up on the board while holding Arkansas to eight.

Both Hinojos (3 for 5) and Frias (3 for 3) had three-hit games while Burns finished the day 2 for 5.

Tim Carver led Arkansas at the plate with a 3 for 4 showing as Dominic Ficociello added a 2 for 4 game with two RBI.

Arkansas starting pitcher Moore was chased with one out in the fourth inning and finished with a line of 3.1 innings pitched and allowed four runs, two earned, on five hits with a walk and a strikeout.

Nolan Sanburn (1-0), the team's fourth pitcher to see action, got the win after he threw the ninth inning and allowed one run on two hits with a walk.

The teams will be back in action again on Wednesday to close out the series with first pitch slated for 3:05.  The Demons are expected to start Andrew Adams on the mound.