Arkansas Sweeps Doubleheader From Eastern

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Arkansas swept Monday’s doubleheader over Eastern Illinois making an early lead stand up in the first game and rallying to win the second game.  The Razorbacks swept the games 4-1 and 8-1.  The two teams will close out the series on Tuesday at 12 p.m. after being snowed out for two games this weekend.
 
In the first game Arkansas scored two runs in the bottom of the second inning and solid pitching allowed those to stand up during a 4-1 win over Eastern Illinois in game one of a Monday doubleheader.
 
Chad Spanberger opened the second inning with a single and came around to score on a two-run single to left by Bobby Wernes.  The other run in the inning was scored by Rick Nomura after reaching on a fielding error.
 
The two runs were enough for Arkansas starter Dominic Taccolini (2-1) as he pitched six innings allowing two hits and one earned run.  Matt Wivinis (0-1) was the hard luck loser for the Panthers making his first start of the season.  The transfer worked four innings allowing one earned run and four hits.
 
The Panthers cut the lead in half in the top of the sixth inning as Joe Duncan beat out an infield single.  He would move to second on walk to Caleb Howell and scored on a sacrifice fly by Mitch Gasbarro.  The Panthers would strand Howell at second base as Taccolini pitched out of the jam.  Jacob Stone closed out the seventh for his first save of the year.
 
Arkansas added two insurance runs in the sixth with Tyler Spoon scoring on a balk after opening the inning with a double.  Clark Eagan drove home the final run with a single through the left side.
 
Nomura and Wernes each had two hits for Arkansas.  EIU had three hits in the game with Isaac Sampen, John Devito and Duncan all collecting singles.
 
In the second game EIU jumped on the board with an unearned run in the fourth inning.  Hunter Morris reached on a fielding error and came around to score on an RBI single by Frankie Perrone.   EIU was unable to take advantage of a wild starting effort from Arkansas right hander Zach Jackson.  Jackson lasted 1.2 innings with four walks issued.
 
EIU starter Garrison Stenger was solid through four innings but ran into trouble in the fifth as the Razorbacks took the lead.  Stenger (0-2) allowed just two hits but five walks proved costly as he allowed four runs.  Wernes tied the game to open the fifth with a solo home run.  Following three straight walks, Arkansas took the lead on a sacrifice fly and extended it to 4-1 with a two-run double by Spoon.
 
Michael Bernal closed out the scoring for Arkansas in the sixth with a grand slam.  Bernal was 2-for-2 in the second game as Arkansas had only five hits.  Josh Alberius (1-0) pitched three perfect innings to close out the game for the win.
 
EIU had three hits in the second game with Demetre Taylor, Perrone and Cale Hennermann picking up hits.