Diamond Hogs win fifth straight series

Arkansas shortstop Brett McAfee records a hit during the seventh inning of a game against Mississippi State on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville.
Arkansas shortstop Brett McAfee records a hit during the seventh inning of a game against Mississippi State on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville.

— After struggling out of the gate in the SEC, Arkansas is on its best run in more than a decade.

The No. 25 Razorbacks beat Mississippi State 6-1 Saturday at Baum Stadium to clinch their fifth consecutive weekend series. It's the longest such streak since Arkansas won six straight series en route to the College World Series in 2004.

Game Sketch

Line Score: Arkansas 6-8-0; Mississippi State 1-4-1

Records: Arkansas 26-17, 11-9 SEC; Mississippi State 22-21, 6-14 SEC

WP: Dominic Taccolini (6-3)

LP: Preston Brown (5-5)

Turning Point: Brett McAfee hit a two-run double with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning to break a scoreless tie.

Attendance: 10,837

Notable: Saturday's crowd set a Baum Stadium record for tickets sold and was the third-largest actual attendance in stadium history.

The Razorbacks have won four straight conference games since a loss to then-No. 1 Texas A&M last Friday. Arkansas has won 11 of its last 13 games overall and is 12-3 in the month of April.

Brett McAfee had a pair of RBI hits, including a two-run double to break a scoreless tie in the fourth inning. McAfee added an RBI single in the seventh inning to extend the Razorbacks' lead to 6-1.

McAfee and Tyler Spoon each had two hits for Arkansas. Spoon had an RBI single in the seventh inning to spark a three-run rally.

The offense produced more than enough for Arkansas' pitching staff, which was paced by a strong start from sophomore Dominic Taccolini. The right-hander allowed one run on four hits in 6 2/3 innings to record his sixth win of the season.

Taccolini struck out five batters and didn't allow a run until Jake Vickerson's fielder's choice RBI in the top of the seventh inning. He bounced back from a pair of rough starts against Texas A&M and Kentucky in which he allowed a combined 14 runs.

Lance Phillips recorded the final out of the seventh inning for the Razorbacks. James Teague pitched the final two innings, allowing no hits and one walk.

Arkansas will go for the weekend sweep Sunday with a first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

Upcoming Events