FAYETTEVILLLE - Jeff Nutt was one positive out of plenty of negatives for the Arkansas on Friday night.

Despite losing a 5-2 decision to Auburn in Baum Stadium, Nutt did his part in giving Arkansas a chance.

His two-run home run in the second inning provided the Razorbacks with their only runs. He finished 2-for-4 with those two RBIs.

Nutt was starting only his second game of the season. He injured his right shoulder in the Fall, and then his left one while he was trying to recover.

Nutt played and started for the first time this season at Missouri State on Tuesday.

"It feels good, real good to get back in there," Nutt said. "It's been a long road but now I'm back, but we've got to win. It's no fun when you don't win."

Nutt tied the score at 2-2 with his homer that just got over the right-center field wall.

"It was a fastball, 3-1 count," Nutt said. "I was just sitting on a fastball. He threw it middle-in. I just put a good swing on it. When I hit it, I hit it good. The wind was kind of blowing out tonight. It wasn't blowing in as usual.

"I thought it had a chance."

Nutt said it was frustrating having to sit for the first 26 games.

"When I reinjured my shoulder, it was really tough," Nutt said. "It just tested me. I had to sit down. I had to be a leader, try to lead these guys vocally from the bench, but it's tough.

"I just have to put it behind me and move on. We still have about half the season left.

"We just have to start winning now."

Arkansas starting pitcher Cliff Springston said Nutt looked impressive.

"It's good to have Jeff back in the lineup, obviously he's swinging the bat real well," Springston said. "He did a good job behind the plate.

"Coach (Dave) Jorn (Razorbacks pitching coach) let us call our own game today. Jeff did a good job of calling pitches. I came out and gave up two runs. In the second inning, he put us right back into the game with that home run."