AUBURN, Ala. (Interstat) — The Auburn Tigers used a five-run outburst across the second and third innings to erase an early deficit and then rode a dominant relief performance from Jackson Sanders to defeat the Arkansas Razorbacks 8-3 on Saturday evening at Samford Stadium-Hitchcock Field at Plainsman Park.

The Southeastern Conference matchup, which started after a 15-minute weather delay and was later paused for 17 minutes by rain in the seventh inning, saw Auburn even the series at one game apiece after Arkansas claimed a one-run victory on Friday. The Tigers improved to 22-9 overall, while the Razorbacks fell to 20-13.

Arkansas struck first, capitalizing on its only sustained offense of the game in the second inning. With one out, Wehiwa Aloy’s groundout to shortstop plated Ryder Rutenbar. Ty Turner followed with a two-run single up the middle, scoring Jack Robinett and Jared Niu to give the Razorbacks a 3-0 lead.

Auburn answered immediately and decisively in the bottom half of the frame against Arkansas starter Gabe Fisher. A single, another single and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases with no outs. Brandon McCraine then cleared two of them with a double to right-center field, scoring Eric Guevara and Ethin Bingaman. A groundout from Tyler Clay brought home Bub Terrell to tie the game 3-3.

The Tigers took the lead for good an inning later. With two outs, Bingaman doubled to center field to score Chase Fralick. After a pitching change, McCraine delivered again, singling to right field to plate Bingaman for a 5-3 Auburn advantage.

The game’s most important sequence came in the middle innings, triggered by a pitching change. Auburn starter Alex Petrovic, who allowed three runs on three hits over five innings, gave way to reliever Jackson Sanders to begin the sixth. Sanders utterly stifled the Arkansas offense, throwing four hitless and scoreless innings. He struck out eight of the 13 batters he faced, walking none and allowing only one baserunner on a hit-by-pitch.

Sanders’ overpowering relief effort prevented any chance of a Razorback rally. His performance followed a recent outing where he threw five no-hit innings against Alabama on March 28.

Auburn provided Sanders with ample insurance. Terrell launched a solo home run to right field in the fifth inning to make it 6-3. In the sixth, a groundout from Cade Rembert scored Brayden Carter, who had walked and stolen second. Fralick then followed with a solo homer to right-center, extending the lead to 8-3.

Arkansas’s offense, which managed only four hits total, was silenced after the second inning. Following Sanders’ entrance, the Razorbacks sent the minimum 12 batters to the plate over the final four frames, with the only runner being erased on a double play.

McCraine led Auburn’s 11-hit attack, going 3 for 4 with three RBIs. Bingaman added two hits and an RBI, while Fralick and Terrell each homered.

For Arkansas, Parker Coil provided 2 2/3 innings of hitless relief, allowing one run, and Cole Gibler pitched two scoreless innings. The Razorbacks used six pitchers in total.

The game’s outcome contrasted with pregame projections. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 5-4 Auburn win, while its ELO rating system gave Arkansas a 59.1% probability of victory.

The series rubber game is scheduled for Sunday afternoon. Arkansas will travel to face Alabama-Little Rock on Tuesday before a weekend series at Alabama. Auburn will host Jacksonville State on Tuesday before welcoming Kentucky for a three-game conference series next weekend.