Arkansas rides big inning, Murphy to 10-2 win over S. Miss

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Jared Gates and Eric Cole homered in a seven-run second inning for Arkansas, Kacey Murphy pitched eight strong innings and the Razorbacks beat Southern Mississippi 10-2 in the NCAA Tournament Fayetteville Regional on Saturday night.

The No. 5 national seed Razorbacks (41-18) have beaten their first two opponents by a combined 20-4. They'll play in the regional final Sunday night against the winner of the Southern Miss-Dallas Baptist afternoon elimination game.

Murphy (8-4) threw eight innings of two-hit, shutout ball. Caleb Bolden came on to start the ninth and gave up a homer to Matthew Guidry and RBI double to Matt Wallner before Bryce Bonnin relieved and got the final outs.

Carson Shaddy had three hits and three RBIs and Cole had three hits and drove in two runs for Arkansas.

Stevie Powers (5-2) took the loss for Southern Miss (44-17).