Hogs score twice in 7th to take Game 1 from Zags

FAYETTEVILLE — Christian Franklin beat out a throw at first base to give No. 5 Arkansas a lead in the seventh inning, and the Razorbacks held off a strong effort by Gonzaga to win 7-5 Thursday at Baum-Walker Stadium.

Arkansas improved to 4-0 with the victory in the opening game of a four-game series against the Bulldogs, who are the preseason favorite to win the West Coast Conference. The teams are scheduled to play again Friday at 3 p.m.

With the bases loaded and one out, Franklin nearly hit into an inning-ending double play in the seventh. Gonzaga second baseman Mason Marenco flipped to shortstop Ernie Yake to force out Arkansas’ Casey Martin at second base, but Yake’s throw to first…