Rutenbar’s Four-Hit Game Not Enough as Razorbacks Fall in Series Finale against Hatters

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Despite a career-best four hits by true freshman Carter Rutenbar, No. 6 Arkansas (12-5) fell, 6-4, in the series finale against Atlantic Sun Conference opponent Stetson (7-10) Monday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium.

The Hogs and Hatters finished this weekend’s four-game series tied at two apiece, marking the first time the Razorbacks have not won a non-conference weekend series at Baum-Walker Stadium since the 2014 campaign. That year, Arkansas dropped two-of-three games to South Alabama in its final non-conference home weekend series of the regular season.

Stetson tagged Arkansas starter James DeCremer for four runs on four hits, including a three-run homer, and a walk in the first to knock him out of the game before recording an out. In nine innings of relief, Tate McGuire (3.0 IP, 2 R, 2 SO), Steele Eaves (4.0 IP, 0 R, 1 SO) and Parker Coil (2.0 IP, 0 R, 2 SO) combined to limit the Hatter offense to just two runs.

Arkansas, trailing 4-0 in the second inning, looked to be up for the challenge, punching back with three runs on Reese Robinett’s two-run homer, his first of the season, followed by Nolan Souza’s RBI double in the bottom half of the frame.

Stetson extended its lead to 6-3 in the fourth before Arkansas took advantage of a run-scoring error in the bottom of the fifth to cut its deficit to two. The Razorback offense, however, continued its struggle with runners in scoring position.

Arkansas went 5-for-24 (.208) with runners on and 0-for-9 (.000) with runners in scoring position, stranding 10 on base and killing their numerous opportunities at mounting a rally. Rutenbar, who finished 4-for-5 with a run scored, was one of three Razorbacks, along with Robinett (2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI) and Maika Niu (2-for-4, 2B), to turn in a multi-hit game.

In 10 games, Rutenbar, who hit cleanup in his third start of the season, is slashing .438/.571/.500 with seven hits, including one double, and five walks this year. Niu, meanwhile, improved his season slash line to .333/.366/.530 through 17 games with his two-hit afternoon, which marked his team-leading ninth multi-hit performance of the campaign.

On the mound, Eaves fired four more shutout frames, extending his consecutive scoreless inning streak to 12.0. The right-hander has allowed six hits and issued two walks while striking out 10 over a team-leading five relief appearances.

Up next, Arkansas begins conference play by hosting Mississippi State (14-2) for SEC Opening Weekend. First pitch between the Hogs and Bulldogs on SEC Opening Night is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, March 13, on SEC Network+.

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