Week 4 Recap

Diamond Hogs’ bats heat up too late

                It was the same story, different weekend for the Arkansas baseball squad this weekend as they took on the Florida Gators in Gainesville.  The defense was solid behind stellar pitching but the offense could not muster enough runs until the final game on Sunday.  Florida (13-7, 2-1) won a pair of one run games on Friday (2-1) and Saturday (1-0) before Arkansas (9-7, 1-2) opened up the flood gates on Sunday with a 9-3 victory, their first in 5 games. 

                The Hogs were outhit on the weekend in every category but runs scored (10-6), while outpitching the Gators in every category except wins and strikeouts (18-28).  They hit .200 for the weekend with 19 hits, 9 of which came in the final game.  6 of their 7 RBI were also in Sunday’s finale.  Arkansas’ pitching staff once again saw brilliant performances wasted on a lack of ability to produce just a few runs.  It was frustrating as a team, it was frustrating as a fan base, but the Hogs showed some spark on Sunday that they will be able to move on past their early season struggles. 

                Jalen Beeks threw the first game, going 4.2 innings and allowing 2 earned runs on 6 hits and 3 strikeouts in a losing effort.  Coming down from his non conference dominance a little, he also walked 3 and balked.  Trey Killian pitched a complete game Saturday giving up only 7 hits and 1 walk in 8 innings with 6 strikeouts.  He was the losing pitcher, however, as the Hogs failed to score a run, and Killian made a mistake for a home run.  Chris Oliver lasted 2 innings in his start on Sunday giving up 1 unearned run on 3 hits.  He struggled a little while also committing an error and may be placed in the bullpen come next weekend to allow Colin Poche into the rotation.  Oliver would be a great asset at the back end of the bullpen with his mid to upper 90s fast ball. 

                The Razorback bullpen allowed its first earned runs on Sunday since February 22.  They lasted 35 innings before Dominic Taccolini gave up 2 runs on 3 hits in the inning he pitched.  Taccolini did get a fly out and a double play after inheriting a runner on first base and no outs in the third inning Sunday.  But he may have proved that he is most useful as a situational reliever as he struggled after coming back out in the fourth.  Michael Gunn and Jacob Stone pitched 4 and 3 scoreless innings respectively, each giving up 1 hit and striking out 3.  Zach Jackson threw 2.1 innings with 3 hits and 1 walk surrendered, striking out 3.  Jackson has still not allowed an earned run in 14.2 innings pitched this season. 

                Offensively, the Razorbacks received contributions from some hitters that have not been producing lately or at all this season.  Catcher Jake Wise led the team this weekend, hitting .500 (5 for 10) with a double, a home run, 1 RBI and 1 run scored.  He showed what he can do at the plate while also displaying great defense.  Wise threw out a would be base stealer while also picking off a runner at first, bringing his season total to a SEC leading 3 pick offs.  Andrew Benintendi had three hits, joining Wise as the only two players to have a hit in each game of the weekend.  Benintendi also walked twice and scored 3 runs.  Clark Eagan got the start in left field all weekend with Joe Serrano out, and immediately made an impact with a RBI double in his first at bat Friday.  He went on to record 3 hits for the weekend.  Brian Anderson, Eric Fisher and Bobby Wernes all had 2 hits on the weekend with Fisher and Anderson driving in 1 and 3 runs respectively. 

                Brett McAfee joins Serrano on the injured shelf this week after hurting his back early in game one.  Michael Bernal moved over to fill in at short stop and Bobby Wernes came in to play third.  Serrano was a scratch from game one after injuring his ankle in practice Wednesday and did not make an appearance in a game this weekend.  There has not been an update on their availability for next week.  

                Arkansas is very close to having a much better record so far this year.  Their 7 losses have come by a total of 8 runs, 6 of those games being decided by 1 run.  With an extra hit here or there, this team could easily have several more wins.  Sunday was a promising day offensively and hopefully the hits will continue to come and runners will continue to cross the plate.  Much of the season is still in front of the Hogs, and if their pitching can hold on to what it is doing, the offensive tide is bound to turn in their favor.     .               

                The Diamond Hogs host their first mid week games this Tuesday (5:05) and Wednesday (3:05) against Grambling State before hosting Alabama this weekend.