Category: Arkansas baseball

South Carolina rally stuns Arkansas in Hogs’ SEC Tournament opener

Arkansas left 10 on base and fell to No. 10 seed South Carolina in the Razorbacks’ SEC Tournament opener at the Hoover Met Thursday afternoon.

A two-run home run from Cole Messina in the top of the ninth inning lifted 10th-seeded South Carolina to a 6-5 victory over second-seeded Arkansas in the Razorbacks’ SEC Baseball Tournament opener at the Hoover Met Thursday.

Messina’s home run to straightaway centerfield was his second blast of the day — as well as the first home run allowed by SEC Freshman of the Year Gabe Gaeckle all year — and gave the Gamecocks a 6-4 lead.

Arkansas (43-13 overall) threatened in the bottom of the ninth with three consecutive singles from Peyton Stovall, Hudson White and Ben McLaughlin with one away off South Carolina (35-21) reliever Garrett Gainey. McLaughlin’s single made it a one-run game.

Wehiwa Aloy got ahead 2-0 in the count before grounding out for the second out. Jared Sprague-Lott then flied to left-center to end the game and preserve the Gamecocks’ comeback.

Arkansas will play third-seeded Kentucky in a single-elimination game Thursday in Hoover at 9:30 a.m. CDT. The game can be seen on SEC Network. The Wildcats were clubbed 11-0 by LSU in eight innings Thursday.

Ben Bybee started for Arkansas and quickly found himself in trouble. After allowing back-to-back walks to Blake Jackson and Messina with two outs, Parker Noland smoked a single to left-center to give South Carolina an early 1-0 lead.

The Diamond Hogs tied it in the second inning off Gamecocks starter Eli Jones when McLaughlin singled and later scored on an RBI single from Sprague-Lott.

South Carolina went right back to work in the third off Bybee when Ethan Petry singled following a walk to Austin Brinling. Messina followed with a single up the middle to put the Gamecocks back on top at 2-1.

That was all for Bybee, who parted after 2 1/3 innings. Christian Foutch took over and escaped a bases-loaded jam to end the inning.

Arkansas caught a break in the fourth on a would-be double play ball sent back up the middle. Jones snagged a comebacker but airmailed a throw into centerfield to give the Razorbacks runners at the corners. After Sprague-Lott flied out, South Carolina coach Mark Kingston went to his bullpen and summoned right-hander Ty Good.

Dave Van Horn countered with his own move and removed Nolan Souza for pinch-hitter Ryder Helfrick. The move paid off for Van Horn when Helfrick sent a well-hit sacrifice fly to left to score McLaughlin and tie the game.

Good struck out Ross Lovich with the bases loaded to end the threat and get the Gamecocks out of further trouble. It would be one of several missed opportunities for Arkansas in the game.

South Carolina struck again in the fifth against Parker Coil. Jackson was hit by a pitch before Messina took Coil deep on a pitch up and out over the plate for a two-run home run that traveled 420 feet to dead center for a 4-2 Gamecocks lead.

Will Edmundson led off the seventh with a pinch-hit single for Arkansas. Kendall Diggs followed with a sharp single to right on a 1-2 pitch to put the tying run aboard for the Hogs.

That was all for Good, who departed with the lead after 2 2/3 innings in relief. Gainey came in to face Stovall in a lefty-lefty matchup. Stovall drove an 0-1 pitch over the head of Brinling in center for a double to score Edmundson with Diggs right on his heels and holding at third.

White drew a five-pitch walk to load the bases with no one out. But the Hogs never got the big hit that might have carried them to a victory on this day.

McLaughlin was retired on a fly to right when Petry made a diving catch on a ball that would have landed fair for a bases-clearing double. Diggs scored from third on the play to tie the game, but Petry’s gem to rob McLaughlin of extra bases turned the inning around for South Carolina.

Aloy struck out on four pitches for the second out. Gainey then got out of the inning by retiring Sprague-Lott on a hard-hit fly ball to left to keep it a 4-4 game before Messina’s ninth-inning heroics.

Arkansas outhit South Carolina, 9-8, and left 10 runners on base. Gaeckle (3-3) suffered the loss with Gainey picking up the victory (1-3). Messina’s three-hit, five-RBI day included his 18th and 19th home runs of the year.

Stovall (3-for-5) led the Razorbacks at the plate with three hits, including two doubles.

Arkansas baseball draws these three teams in new Field of 64 projection

Arkansas baseball is a safe top eight national seed in Baseball America’s new Field of 64 projections for the 2024 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament.

The ups and downs and overall grind of an SEC baseball regular season have taken their toll on every team.

Through it all, Arkansas (43-12 overall, 20-10 conference) has remained near the top of polls and has survived all the ebbs and flows. The Diamond Hogs are ranked fifth in this week’s USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll.

As such, Arkansas is considered a safe bet to finish as a top eight national seed for the 2024 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament with Selection Monday less than a week away on March 27. That’s when the final Field of 64 will be revealed to determine the teams that will compete for a spot in this year’s College World Series in Omaha.

In its new postseason projections released Tuesday, Baseball America has the Razorbacks as a No. 5 national seed, one spot behind Kentucky at No. 4 and one ahead of Clemson at No. 6. Arkansas would host a best-of-three Super Regional at Baum-Walker Stadium, provided the Hogs win their four-team, double-elimination on-site regional.

In Baseball America’s updated projections, Arkansas would host Louisiana Tech, Kansas State and Nebraska-Omaha in the Fayetteville Regional. The Razorbacks haven’t faced any of those teams this season.

Tennessee was projected No. 1 overall among the top eight national seeds by Baseball America. North Carolina was projected No. 2 with Texas A&M at No. 3. The Volunteers have been No. 1 in the coaches poll for three consecutive weeks.

Despite losing two of three games in its final regular-season series at Texas A&M last week, Arkansas won the SEC West division title with a 6-3 victory on Friday. The Razorbacks will face the winner of Tuesday’s Alabama-South Carolina matchup in the SEC Tournament Wednesday in Hoover.

Hagen Smith is SEC Pitcher of the Year as seven Arkansas players receive All-SEC honors

To no surprise, Arkansas left-hander Hagen Smith was named SEC Pitcher of the Year Monday.

The Southeastern Conference named Arkansas left-hander Hagen Smith its 2024 Pitcher of the Year Monday.

Smith finished the regular season 9-0 in 14 starts with a 1.52 ERA over 77 innings pitched. He struck out 150 batters to only 29 walks. In his final regular-season start against Texas A&M last Thursday, Smith struck out 14 batters in six scoreless innings. He passed Nick Schmidt to become Arkansas’ all-time career strikeout leader.

Smith is the third player in program history to take home SEC Pitcher of the Year honors, joining Kevin Kopps in 2021 and Schmidt in 2006.

Six other Razorbacks players made All-SEC teams Monday, as voted on by conference head coaches. Peyton Stovall (second base) and Wehiwa Aloy (shortstop) earned second-team All-SEC recognition. Pitcher Gabe Gaeckle and infielder Nolan Souza earned Freshman All-SEC honors.

Third baseman Jared Sprague-Lott and outfielder Peyton Holt were named to the All-SEC Defensive Team.

Other notable SEC award winners announced Monday were Georgia slugger Charlie Condon, who was named conference Player of the Year, and Gavin Grahovac, who was named conference Freshman of the Year. First-year Kentucky head coach Nick Mingione was named Coach of the Year.

Is Arkansas baseball still safe as top eight national seed, Super Regional host?

Where is Arkansas baseball projected in this new Field of 64 outlook for the 2024 NCAA Baseball Tournament?

A lot would seem to have to go wrong over the next week for the Arkansas baseball team not to qualify as a top eight national seed for the 2024 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament.

Securing a top eight seed would ensure that the Razorbacks would host a best-of-three Super Regional at Baum-Walker Stadium, if the team wins its four-team, double-elimination on-site regional.

While Arkansas (43-12) went just 9-9 in its last six conference series after dropping two of three to Texas A&M to close out the regular season, the team is considered “safe” for a top eight seed in On3’s latest Field of 64 projections for the postseason.

The Razorbacks are projected as the No. 5 overall seed by On3. They fell three spots from a projected No. 2 seed in On3’s postseason outlook last week.

Per Jonathan Wagner:

Though Arkansas lost a series to Texas A&M this past weekend, they remain firmly in the mix to host as a top five seed and feel safe in the top eight discussion. The Razorbacks will lock that in with a win or two in the SEC Tournament this week. Joining them in the Fayetteville Regional is Southern Miss, Cincinnati and Little Rock.

Tennessee, the No. 1 team in every major Top 25 rankings this week, moved past Kentucky for the projected top overall seed in On3’s forecast. North Carolina moved up to the projected No. 3 seed with Texas A&M as the No. 4 seed.

The full Field of 64 that will make up the NCAA Tournament and compete for a berth in the College World Series in Omaha will be unveiled on Selection Monday, May 27 at 11 a.m. CDT.

In the meantime, Arkansas will face either Alabama or South Carolina in the Razorbacks’ SEC Tournament opener in Hoover Wednesday afternoon.

Two SEC teams jump Arkansas in new USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll

A look at where Arkansas baseball ranks in the new USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll.

Arkansas may have clinched the SEC West division title over the weekend at Texas A&M, but losing two of three to the Aggies caused the Razorbacks to fall in the USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll, released Monday, May 20.

Arkansas (43-12 overall, 20-10 SEC) fell two spots to No. 4 in the new poll. Texas A&M (44-11) climbed one spot to No. 3, and Kentucky (39-12) moved up to No. 2.

Tennessee (46-10) stayed at No. 1 for the third consecutive week after sweeping South Carolina to earn the top seed in this week’s SEC Tournament in Hoover. At 22-8 in conference play, both the Volunteers and Wildcats earned a share of the SEC regular-season title.

By virtue of winning the SEC West, Arkansas will be the No. 2 seed in the tournament and will face the winner of Alabama-South Carolina in the Diamond Hogs’ tournament opener Wednesday.

Clemson (40-13) rounded out the top five of the coaches poll. The Tigers were one of seven ACC teams to crack the Top 25 — the most by any conference.

The SEC had six schools ranked in the poll. In addition to the conference taking the top four spots in the coaches poll, Georgia (39-14) ended the regular season ranked No. 9. Mississippi State (36-19) also cracked the Top 25 at No. 16.

Georgia out, Kansas State in as Arkansas baseball opponent next year in DFW

Kansas State and Arkansas have a bit of history on the diamond. Should be good.

Arkansas will still get Texas Christian again next year in Dallas-Fort Worth, giving the modest rivalry an injection, and that’s most important.

But the curiosity of having two SEC teams in the College Baseball Series at Globe Life, home of the Texas Rangers, in 2025 is now gone. Georgia, coached by former Arkansas pitching coach Wes Johnson, is out. In the Bulldogs’ stead, Kansas State, the folks who run the round-robin announced Monday.

Next year’s four-team tournament also features Michigan and will mark the third straight appearance at Globe Life for the Razorbacks and fourth in five years. Every tournament has included teams like the Diamond Hogs, teams considered Top-25 caliber.

Kansas State generally hasn’t been that as the Wildcats haven’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2013, though they’re expected to make it this season. Arkansas does have familiarty with K-State, regardless. KSU beat Arkansas in the Manhattan Regional back in 2013.

The Globe Life series is set for late February and will mark either the first or second weekend for the Arkansas baseball team.

Where Arkansas baseball fell in final regular-season Top 25 rankings

The Arkansas Razorbacks fell to No. 5 in both D1Baseball and Baseball America’s new Top 25 rankings, released Monday, May 20.

Arkansas baseball fell two spots in the new D1Baseball Top 25 rankings and three spots in Baseball America Top 25, released Monday, May 20.

The Razorbacks (43-12 overall, 20-10) checked in at No. 5 in both rankings after dropping two of three to Texas A&M in College Station over the weekend to close out the regular season.

Arkansas clinched the SEC West division title on Friday night and will be the No. 2 seed at this week’s SEC Baseball Tournament in Hoover. The Diamond Hogs will play Tuesday’s winner between No. 7 seed Alabama and No. 10 seed South Carolina on Wednesday.

SEC regular-season co-champions Tennessee (46-10, 22-8) and Kentucky (39-12, 22-8) were Nos 1. and 2 in both rankings, respectively. It’s the third straight week that the Volunteers, the No. 1 seed in the SEC Tournament, were atop both D1Baseball and Baseball America’s rankings.

ACC regular-season champion North Carolina (41-12) moved up one spot to No. 3 in Baseball America’s rankings while Texas A&M (44-11) moved up one spot to No. 4 in both rankings.

Georgia (39-14) was the only other SEC team to crack Baseball America’s top 10 at No. 8.

Every game of the 2024 SEC Tournament will be televised by SEC Network with the exception of Sunday’s championship game on ESPN2. Each game of the tournament will also air live on SiriusXM Channel 374 for subscribers.

Arkansas baseball ready for business time with SEC, NCAA tournaments

Dave Van Horn would be hitting .318 in the postseason if he were one of his Arkansas players. What does that mean? Well….

Dave Van Horn is at his best at this time of the year.

Arkansas fans couldn’t be happier about that.

Van Horn, the Razorbacks baseball coach now in his 22nd second in Fayetteville, has led Arkansas to seven College World Series. If he were one of his players, he’d be batting just under .333. The march to an eighth such trip to Omaha, Nebraska, is officially in focus.

The calculus on the best route to take to TD Ameritrade, however, is where the curiosity lies. Arkansas starts the SEC Tournament – not totally meaningless for the Diamond Hogs, but, yeah, not much of a factor – with a guaranteed two games.

No team wants to go two-and-out and go home. Pride is too high for that, even if resting is in the best interest of the team. Arkansas will go first against either Alabama or South Carolina, depending which team wins the first-round game there. After that, it depends on how long the Diamond Hogs keep winning.

Arkansas will practice Monday and Tuesday down at Hoover High, not far from the Hoover Coliseum, where the tournament will take place. Don’t expect Van Horn, who has done this a time or two with success, to come out guns blazing all week long.

“We need to rest up a little bit, hydrate and eat,” Van Horn said. “I’m sure some guys lost some weight out here the last few days. Get ready for the run.”

Crimson Tide or Gamecocks due up next for Arkansas baseball in SEC Tournament

It’s the Alabama Crimson Tide or the South Carolina Gamecocks against Arkansas in the Razorbacks’ SEC Baseball Tournament opener.

The Arkansas Razorbacks already knew what day they would first begin play at the 2024 SEC Baseball Tournament in Hoover.

The question now is which team the Diamond Hogs will face come Wednesday.

Either way, it will be one that coach Dave Van Horn’s club has already seen this season. The official SEC Tournament bracket was released late Saturday, and the No. 2 seed Razorbacks will face the winner of Tuesday’s single-elimination matchup between No. 10 seed South Carolina and No. 7 seed Alabama.

The Razorbacks won two of three against the Gamecocks in Columbia back on April 20. A week prior to that, they lost their first weekend series of the year by dropping two of three to the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama lost two of three at last-place Auburn over the weekend but has been ranked in the Top 25 for much of the season. South Carolina has also been a consistent Top 25 team but was swept by regular-season SEC champion Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday.

Alabama-South Carolina is one of four contests scheduled for Tuesday’s opening day of the tournament. No. 6 seed Georgia will kick off the tournament against No. 11 seed LSU. First pitch for that game is slated for 9:30 a.m. CDT before ‘Bama faces South Carolina.

No. 8 seed Vanderbilt will then face No. 9 seed Florida with a tentatively scheduled 4:30 p.m. first pitch. No. 5 seed Mississippi State will close the night against No. 12 seed Ole Miss.

As the No. 2 seed, Arkansas is one of four teams that earned a Tuesday bye, along with No. 1 seed Tennessee, No. 3 seed Kentucky and No. 4 seed Texas A&M.

Arkansas dropped two of three to Texas A&M in its final regular-season series over the weekend in College Station but clinched the SEC West division title with a 6-3 victory over the Aggies on Friday.

All games of the tournament will be televised by SEC Network with the exception of Sunday’s championship game on ESPN2.

Arkansas gets run-ruled in regular-season finale at Texas A&M

A look at how the fourth-ranked Texas A&M Aggies took down second-ranked Arkansas.

Fourth-ranked Texas A&M erupted for nine runs over the final two innings to take down second-ranked Arkansas, 14-4, in seven innings on the final day of SEC regular-season play Saturday at Blue Bell Park in College Station.

The Aggies (44-11 overall, 19-11 conference) hit four home runs to win the series, 2-1.

Arkansas, which wrapped up the SEC West division title on Friday night, trailed only 5-4 until the sixth inning when Texas A&M exploded for six runs off a trio of beleaguered relievers — Ben Bybee, Stone Hewlett and Dylan Carter.

Bybee opened the inning by allowing a single, a double, a wild pitch that scored a run, and a walk. He didn’t record an out.

Hewlett entered and allowed two more walks before another wild pitch led to another run. Ted Burton then cleared the bases with a three-run double.

That prompted another pitching change as Carter entered and gave up an RBI single. The Aggies ended the frame with an 11-4 lead.

After Arkansas was retired in order in the seventh, the Aggies sent the crowd home early. Gavin Grahovac hit a two-run home run that made it 13-4 before Ryan Targac’s pinch-hit RBI single walked it off.

Will McEntire started Saturday’s loss and received a no-decision. He struggled early, allowing a leadoff walk to Grahovac before Jace LaViolette hit his team-leading 28th home run for a quick 2-0 Aggies lead.

An inning later, Caden Sorrell took McEntire deep to make it 4-1. McEntire recorded just four outs, allowing four runs on four hits to nine batters.

Arkansas got home runs from Hudson White and Wehiwa Aloy in the second and third innings off Aggies starter Shane Sdao, marking back-to-back games in which both White and Aloy homered. Aloy’s two-run shot in the third tied the game at 4-4 but would be the Diamond Hogs’ last runs of the day.

Texas A&M went right back ahead in the bottom of the third on Braden Montgomery’s second home run of the series, a solo shot that made it 5-4.

Cooper Dossett (3-1) was the losing pitcher in relief with Chris Cortez (8-2) earning the win. The Aggies out-hit the Razorbacks, 15-5.

Arkansas ended its regular season 43-12 overall and 20-10 in SEC play after a blistering 12-1 start. The Hogs finished 8-9 over their final 17 conference games and will be the No. 2 seed in next week’s SEC Tournament in Hoover.