Auburn 3, No. 11 Arkansas 0: Tigers continue postseason push with big win

Conner Kendrick was brilliant on the mound and the Auburn got just enough offense in a 3-0 win over No. 11 Arkansas Thursday night at Plainsman Park.

The shutout win was the Tigers' first in SEC play since a 3-0 victory over Georgia on May 7, 2011.

Kendrick (5-3) pitched a gem for Auburn, holding Arkansas to just four hits in 7 1/3 shutout innings. He struck out xx and rarely let the Razorbacks get in good position to score. Terrance Dedrick came on and got the final five outs for his ninth save of the year, allowing a walk and a hit.

On offense, the big blow for the Tigers (32-21, 12-16 SEC) came via first baseman Garrett Cooper. With runners at second and third and two outs in the bottom of the third, Cooper hit a solid single through the left side, scoring Hunter Kelley and Mitchell Self to give Auburn a 2-0 lead. Self would score the third run in the bottom of the seventh. Kelly singled down the left field line, advancing Self to third base. After the throw came in to third, Jacob Mahan tried to throw Kelley out at second base, and the ball sailed into right field.

Self, starting at third for the injured Damek Tomscha, was 3-for-3 on the night. Cooper finished the game 1-for-2. Kelley and second baseman Jordan Ebert were both 2-for-4.

For Arkansas (34-18, 17-10), Barrett Astin (4-4) took the loss allowing three runs -- none earned -- on nine hits and a walk in 6 1/3 innings. Astin struck out seven. Left fielder Brian Anderson was 3-for-4 at the plate, the only Razorback with multiple hits.

The victory improved Auburn's RPI from No. 35 to No. 29, per warrennolan.com.

The Tigers will go for their fourth straight series win over Arkansas Friday night at 6 p.m. Lefty Michael O'Neal (8-3, 2-85 ERA) will take the mound for Auburn, facing Razorbacks right-hander Ryne Stanek (7-2, 1.70 ERA).

Box score, via auburntigers.com

Score by Innings                    R  H  E
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Arkansas............ 000 000 000 -  0  5  3
Auburn.............. 002 000 10X -  3 10  1
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