Stars of the Week (Week 2)

Freshman of the Week

Zach Jackson:  A righty from Berryhill, OK, Jackson came through for the Hogs in a big way on Sunday.  He was called upon early in the finale to keep the Eastern Illinois hitters at bay while Arkansas batters were working out their issues at the plate.  Jackson pitched 3 strong innings in relief of starter Alex Phillips, giving up just two hits and two walks while retiring 9 of the 13 batters he faced.  Jackson looked very comfortable in just the second appearance of his young Razorback career.  He struck out three Panthers this weekend, giving him 6 strikeouts for the season and keeping his average at 1 strikeout per inning this season.

Pitcher of the Week

Michael Gunn:  A junior left-hander from Wilson, AR, Gunn had two solid appearances over the weekend.  Gunn’s numbers don’t tell the true story of his outings, however, as he was called upon to shut down opposing hitters when other Razorback pitchers struggled.  He threw 1.1 innings to close out the Saturday game and then had another inning of work in the Sunday matchup.  Gunn was never overpowering but showed great poise and toughness.  Over the two games combined he gave up just two hits and struck out one while also walking a hitter.  Coach Dave Van Horn has shown a propensity, at least early in the season, to count on Gunn to help Arkansas in late game situations.

Hitter of the Week

Andrew Benintendi:  Obviously he was a candidate for Freshman of the Week too but we had to make Benintendi share the wealth.  The freshman from Cincinnati, OH had a fantastic weekend at the plate.  Over the three game series Benintendi hit .455 with a slugging percentage of 1.000 and an on-base percentage of .538.  Four of his five hits went for extra bases, including 3 doubles and a two-run homerun on Sunday (his first as a Razorback).  Benintendi also scored 5 runs this weekend (3 in the Sunday game alone) and had four runs-batted-in.  If he continues to be a force at the top of the order for the Hogs, Benintendi will be a popular pick for Freshman of the Year in the SEC at the end of the season.

Tip of the Cap

Brian Anderson:  A native of Edmond, OK, Anderson had another huge weekend at the plate for the Razorbacks.  The Hogs second baseman hit .400 with three runs scored and five runs-batted-in.  Anderson slugged .800 over the weekend as well, recording a back-breaking three-run homer in the Saturday game.  He was so hot at the plate that on Sunday Eastern Illinois walked Anderson to load the bases rather than pitch to him.  He continues to look locked in and focused on each and every pitch he sees.

Michael Bernal:  An off-season transfer from New Mexico Junior College, Bernal had his best two games as a Razorback Saturday and Sunday.  The redshirt sophomore went 4 for 6 over those two games (including a triple on Saturday) scoring 5 runs and driving in one.  Bernal proved most effective as a table setter, finding ways to get on base at the bottom of the line-up so that those at the top could drive him in.  If his defense can match his offensive output, Bernal may win the position battle at third base over Bobby Wernes.

Jacob Stone:  The RHP from Weatherford Junior College looked great in his second appearance of the season Sunday.  Stone was brought in to pitch Arkansas out of a tough situation in the seventh inning and never batted an eye.  He gave up just one hit over 1.2 scoreless innings of work while retiring five of the seven hitters he faced.  Stone’s outing was very encouraging considering the poor performance of a few other pitchers who figured to be counted on heavily this season.