FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas' hitting took a step toward getting back on track, but its pitching took a step back Tuesday.
The No. 10 Razorbacks lost 8-7 to Illinois State at Baum-Walker Stadium in the first of a six-game homestand. It was the fourth consecutive loss for Arkansas (7-4), which won its first seven games of the year without trailing.
Illinois State (4-7) scored five runs over the sixth, seventh and eighth innings to keep the Razorbacks' offense at bay. Arkansas pulled within 6-5 on Christian Franklin's RBI single in the seventh inning and scored twice in the ninth after the Redbirds had gone ahead 8-5 in the eighth.