Rocky start costs Kent State in 8-1 loss to Arkansas

OMAHA, Neb. - In the second inning, number nine hitter Jake Wise extended the Razorbacks lead with a two out solo homerun and the hogs never looked back.

Arkansas made it a 3-0 lead in the fifth on an rbi single from Joe Serrano. The Golden Flashes answered with a run in the sixth on a solo homerun to left from Kent senior shortstop Jimmy Rider, it was Rider's sixth homerun of the year and cut the Arkansas lead to 3-1. Arkansas added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom half of the inning on a two run double to left from Matt Vinson. Vinson finished the game with 4 rbi after adding another two run double in the eighth.

Starn was done for the day after the two run double and never seemed to settle down after that opening inning. Starn has had troubles finding the strike zone of late, walking six today while giving up five earned runs on six hits.

Arkansas pitcher A.J.Baxendale was tough on the Golden Flashes tossing six plus innings of three hit baseball while striking out five on the day before he was relieved with one out in the sixth.

The loss drops the Golden Flashes into the losers bracket and Kent will play the loser of two time defending champ South Carolina and Florida on Monday at 4 p.m.

Video player contains postgame comments from players Jimmy Rider, George Roberts, David Starn and manager Scott Stricklin.