OMAHA, Neb. – Gabe Gaeckle struck out a career-high 10 batters over a career-long six innings of relief work, but Arkansas (48-14) could not overcome an early deficit and was handed a 4-1 loss against LSU (49-15) Saturday night at Charles Schwab Field Omaha in its College World Series opener.
The Tigers jumped out to a 3-0 lead before Gaeckle entered in relief of starter Zach Root with the bases loaded in the second inning. The right-hander induced an inning-ending groundout and would go on to tally 10 strikeouts while allowing only one run on three hits in his superb relief effort.
Reese Robinett swatted a solo shot, his third home run of the season, to lead off the bottom of the sixth, cutting Arkansas' deficit to 3-1. It was the Razorbacks' only run of the night, however, as Tiger ace Kade Anderson fired seven innings of one-run ball with seven strikeouts.
Arkansas was limited to just four hits, including singles by Wehiwa Aloy, Cam Kozeal and Charles Davalan, and a pair of walks. Kozeal, a native of Omaha, Neb., led off the eighth with his single and advanced to second on a wild pitch, but the offense was unable to capitalize.
Up next, Arkansas will play Murray State (44-16) in an elimination game at 1 p.m. Monday, June 16, on ESPN.
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