Tag: Braydon Webb

Photo Gallery: Arkansas blasts, eliminates Auburn from College World Series

Will McEntire gave Arkansas a special performance as the Razorbacks eliminated Auburn from the College World Series.

Will McEntire gave Arkansas everything he could and everything the Razorbacks needed.

The sophomore from Bryant tossed seven innings, giving up just three hits and striking out nine in Arkansas’ 11-1 win over Auburn at the College World Series. The victory set up a rematch with Ole Miss on Wednesday. If the Rebels win, they’ll play for a national championship. If the Razorbacks win, the teams will meet again Thursday in a loser-goes-home game.

McEntire’s nine strikeouts were one shy of tying Arkansas’ school record at the College World Series. He carried a no-hitter to the fourth inning and shutout until the seventh. A solo home run was the only blemish on his night.

Meanwhile, his teammates racked up 16 hits, including a three-run third inning and a four-run fourth inning, to send Auburn packing.

Arkansas and Ole Miss will meet at 6 p.m. CT.

WATCH: Phil Elson calls Arkansas’ Omaha-clinching walk-off single

Here’s how Brady Slavens’ walk-off single sounded from the voice of Arkansas Baseball

“And you can call them the Omahogs!”

Those words were exclaimed by Phil Elson, the radio voice of Arkansas Baseball, following [autotag]Brady Slavens[/autotag]’ walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th inning that lifted Arkansas over North Carolina on Sunday afternoon to clinch a spot in the College World Series for the 11th time in program history.

North Carolina broke the 2-2 tie in the top of the 9th inning on an RBI single to take the 3-2 lead, hoping that it would be enough to beat Arkansas and force a winner-take-all game three on Monday.

As they have proven all postseason, the Razorbacks were not going to go away that easily.

The inning started with back to back singles by [autotag]Jalen Battles[/autotag] and [autotag]Peyton Stovall[/autotag]. In the next at-bat, [autotag]Kendall Diggs[/autotag] would reach on a walk, loading the bases for [autotag]Braydon Webb[/autotag]. Webb hit a grounder that resulted in a fielder’s choice, allowing Battles to score from 3rd base to tie the game again at 3-3.

With two on and no outs, Slavens delivered the game winning hit that would send Arkansas to Omaha.

Here is how the walk-off sounded from the voice of Elson:

Arkansas will face the winner of Monday’s Stanford Super Regional between Stanford and UConn in the College World Series later this week at Charles Schawb Field in Omaha, Nebraska. Official dates and times will be released at a later time.

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Sticks of the Game: Wallace, Turner power Hogs over Antelopes

Wallace’s two-home run day and Turner’s quality hits led Arkansas to a game one win in the Stillwater Regional on Friday.

In a game where both teams nearly matched each other in the hit column, the Arkansas Razorbacks proved that “quality over quantity” is what will ultimately win games.

The Razorbacks outhit Grand Canyon by just one hit on Friday, 9-8, but were able to add more value to their swings in a 7-1 win over the Antelopes in game one of the Stillwater Regional, hosted by Oklahoma State.

Six Razorbacks collected at least one hit in the game, while three of those batters sent at least one run across the plate in the win. Out of those players, the sticks of [autotag]Cayden Wallace[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Turner[/autotag] made the most noise on Friday by teaming up to grab five hits and to score six of Arkansas’ seven runs.

Arkansas has seen its’ share of offensive struggles in their four-game losing streak, but after taking a week off of competition, it seems that they have left those days in the dust. That became apparent in the bottom of the 1st inning.

After a successful top-half of the inning by the Arkansas defense, the Razorbacks were able to get on the board first thanks to a mammoth home run by Wallace to left field, that appeared to exit the stadium completely.

That would be the first of two long balls for Wallace on the afternoon. Up 5-1 in the bottom of the 4th inning, Wallace hit another solo blast into the Razorback bullpen to add an insurance run. The longball was a response to GCU’s Tayler Aguilar hitting his 21st home run of the season in the top of the inning to put the Antelopes on the board.

After a wild week that featured a local radio host spatting off insults in his direction, Michael Turner silenced the critics by going 3-for-4 with three RBI in the win.

Turner played a key role in Arkansas breaking the game open in the 2nd inning. After two runs scored previous to his at-bat, Turner added two more runs to the total on a two-RBI single to score Braydon Webb and Brady Slavens, and to give Arkansas the 5-0 lead.

The Turner-Slavens combo would work together again to put the nail in the coffin and to solidify the Razorbacks win. Slavens reached base on a leadoff walk, and later scored on another RBI single by Turner to put Arkansas on top, 7-1.

Joining Wallace and Turner in earning hits for Arkansas were [autotag]Braydon Webb[/autotag], [autotag]Chris Lanzilli[/autotag], [autotag]Jalen Battles[/autotag], and [autotag]Peyton Stovall[/autotag].

Arkansas moves on to the winner’s bracket to face the winner of Oklahoma State-Missouri State on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. CDT.

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Solid production at the plate lifts Arkansas over Grand Canyon

The Razorbacks silenced one of the country’s hardest-hitting teams to win game one of the Stillwater Regional

After a week away from competition, the Arkansas Razorbacks seemed to re-discover their groove at the plate, which lifted them to a much-needed opening-day win.

Arkansas jumped ahead early, and coasted the rest of the way in their regional-opener against Grand Canyon, defeating the Antelopes, 7-1 at O’Brate Stadium on the campus of Oklahoma State University.

Arkansas and Grand Canyon nearly matched each other in the hit column, with the Razorbacks holding a 9-8 advantage. But Arkansas got more production from their hits. The Razorbacks scored five runs over the first two innings on four hits to gain a comfortable advantage, while limiting Grand Canyon, who had seven players batting at .300 or better, to just one run.

The Razorbacks needed a great game to erase their recent struggles and a four-game losing skid. They got the hot start that they desperately needed in the bottom of the 1st inning on a solo moon shot by [autotag]Cayden Wallace[/autotag] to give Arkansas the 1-0 lead.

Arkansas extended their lead to 5-0 by the end of the 2nd inning, headlined by a two-RBI single by [autotag]Michael Turner[/autotag]. With two runs across already, and the bases loaded, Turner sent a grounder up the middle to score [autotag]Braydon Webb[/autotag] and [autotag]Brady Slavens[/autotag] to give Arkansas the five-run cushion.

The Antelopes top hitter put his team on the board in the top of the 4th inning. GCU’s Tayler Aguliar cut the Arkansas lead to 5-1 by crushing his 21st home run of the season to right field.

But, as the old saying goes, “the best teams find ways to respond.” That is exactly what Arkansas did in the bottom half of the inning. With two outs in the inning, Wallace drilled his second home run of the game into the Arkansas bullpen to give the Razorbacks the 6-1 advantage.

The final run of the game came in the bottom of the 6th inning on a single by Turner to score Slavens, which was the second time that the duo combined to give Arkansas a run.

Turner and Wallace combined to plate six runs for Arkansas on five hits for Arkansas. Webb, [autotag]Chris Lanzilli[/autotag], [autotag]Peyton Stovall[/autotag], and [autotag]Jalen Battles[/autotag] also collected hits for the Razorbacks.

The biggest takeaway from the game, was that Arkansas used only two pitchers in the game, which boosts their options for later games in the regional. [autotag]Connor Noland[/autotag] allowed just six hits and one earned run in 7.0 innings, and [autotag]Kole Ramage[/autotag] shut the door by tossing three innings of shutout baseball, grabbing three strikeouts in the meantime.

Next up for Arkansas will be the winner of the Oklahoma State-Missouri State game. The two teams will meet Saturday evening at 6 p.m. CDT.

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Razorbacks fall to Florida, begin preparations for regionals

With their second loss in Hoover, Arkansas will now return to Fayetteville to prepare for next weekend’s regional round.

The Southeastern Conference will not have a repeat champion this year, as last year’s winner bows out after a long week in Hoover.

Arkansas’ second game at the SEC Tournament would be their last, as the Razorbacks fell to Florida, 7-5 on Friday. A three-run 9th inning was not enough to erase an early lead by the Gators.

Down 7-2 entering the final inning, Arkansas scored three runs to trim Florida’s lead to two runs. [autotag]Jalen Battles[/autotag] scored on a passed ball, and two more runs scored on a blast to left-center field by [autotag]Braydon Webb[/autotag] with two outs in the inning. [autotag]Cayden Wallace[/autotag] was the third out of the inning, as he grounded out to 2nd base to close the game.

After moving to the losers bracket thanks to a run-rule loss to Texas A&M on Thursday, Florida jumped out to a quick five-run lead on Arkansas before the Razorbacks could respond.

Florida’s Jac Caglianone grabbed the Gators’ first three runs of the game. In the 2nd inning, Caglianone singled up the middle to score Jud Fabian and Ty Evans to give Florida the 2-0 lead. In the 5th inning, Caglianone joined Colby Halter to hit solo home runs in the inning. BT Riopelle plated a run on a double that extended the lead to 5-0.

Arkansas gained some momentum in the top of the 6th when Cayden Wallace and [autotag]Michael Turner[/autotag] led off the inning with back-to-back home runs, but Florida responded by scoring two more runs in the bottom of the inning, one on a solo home run by Fabian, and an RBI single by Halter.

Turner was the only Razorback to pick up multiple hits, while Webb led the team in RBI with two. [autotag]Connor Noland[/autotag] took the loss for Arkansas, going 4.2 innings in the start, striking out five batters while allowing five earned runs on six hits.

Next up for Arkansas is the regional round of the NCAA Tournament, which begins next weekend. As of now, D1Baseball projects Arkansas as the no. 2 seed in the Austin Regional, hosted by Texas.

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Crash and burn: Arkansas falls to Alabama in finale, gets No. 3 seed for SEC Tourney

Arkansas lost to Alabama on Saturday by 13 runs, their worst defeat of the season.

The Arkansas baseball team will get three days off before the SEC Tournament. After Saturday’s result, they need it.

The Razorbacks played their worst game of the season, falling to Alabama on the road, 18-5. Coach Dave Van Horn’s bunch will play the first game of the second round on Wednesday against the winner of No. 6 Georgia and No. 11 Alabama who play in the first single elimination round on Tuesday.

Arkansas’ pitching simply did not have it. Of the eight pitchers who worked, only two allowed no runs. Alabama tagged starter [autotag]Jaxon Wiggins[/autotag] for five runs and chased him after just 1 1/3 innings. Overall, Hogs pitchers gave up the 18 runs on just 11 hits, but they walked 11 batters, hit three more and threw four wild pitches.

The Crimson Tide had built the lead to 18-3 by the time the fifth inning was over. Alabama second baseman Bryan Eblin led the Tide with five RBI. Leftfielder William Hamiter added four more.

The Diamond Hogs lineup was fair, knocking 11 hits, including home runs from [autotag]Braydon Webb[/autotag] and [autotag]Cayden Wallace[/autotag]. They also drew four base-on-balls.

But the story was pitching. Freshman [autotag]Hagen Smith[/autotag] is expected to start the SEC Tournament game on Wednesday even though he was used out of the bullpen Saturday. He gave up five runs on three hits and two walks. He also struck out the four batters he retired.

Arkansas will make the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight season, not counting the 2020 season that was washed out because of COVID-19. The Razorbacks have failed to make the postseason only once under Van Horn, in 2016. It will be difficult for the team, despite their No. 5 ranking entering the weekend, to get a national seed without winning the SEC Tournament, however, because their RPI sits in the 20s.

Diamond Hogs get huge win, series victory over Auburn on Sunday

Arkansas batters reached base 21 times in a big win over Auburn on Sunday.

Arkansas’ game against Auburn on Sunday didn’t quite meet the must-win category. The Razorbacks would feel a lot better about their final two weekends of the regular season with a victory, though.

Done and done. Arkansas dispatched Auburn, 7-4, in the finale of the three-game set to take the series two games to win. The Razorbacks hold a two-game lead for second place in the SEC with six league games remaining. Texas A&M and LSU are chasing in a tie for third.

The Diamond Hogs teed off on Auburn starter Joseph Gonzalez, chasing him from the game after 2 2/3 innings in which he gave up five runs on nine hits, including four that went for extra bases. Braydon Webb’s three-run home run in the third was the big blast.

[autotag]Will McEntire[/autotag], Arkansas’ midweek starter over the last few weeks, came out of the bullpen in the sixth and worked 3 1/3 innings while giving up just one run on three hits. He struck out four. Jaxon Wiggins picked up the win upon going the first five innings, giving up three runs, only one of which was earned.

Arkansas racked up 13 hits, six walks and the Hogs batters were hit by two pitches. [autotag]Cayden Wallace[/autotag] and [autotag]Jalen Battles[/autotag] each had two RBI.

The Razorbacks’ final homestand of the regular season starts Friday against Vanderbilt. Arkansas closes the year with Alabama on the road.

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Webb, Tygart earn all-SEC weekly honors

Webb’s plate presence and Tygart’s clutch pitching earn honors from the SEC

The week of April 25 through May 1 was kind to Arkansas.

After winning a tough midweek game over Central Arkansas in North Little Rock and grabbing yet another SEC series win by taking two-of-three from Ole Miss, the No. 4 Razorbacks gained some traction in the latest polls.

Two of the main reasons for the successful week were honored by the Southeastern Conference on Monday. [autotag]Braydon Webb[/autotag] was crowned SEC Player of the Week while freshman right-hander [autotag]Brady Tygart[/autotag] was named SEC Freshman of the week, the league office announced on Monday.

Webb was an asset at the plate by grabbing two hits in all four of Arkansas’s games, making him instrumental in the successful week for Arkansas.

After a two-hit effort in the win against UCA at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock, Ark., Webb continued his tear during the weekend series with Ole Miss. He socked home runs and tallied multiple RBI in each of the first two games against the Rebels before racking up another multi-hit game in the series-clinching win on Sunday.

Tygart struck out five batters in two appearances out of the bullpen in the series with Ole Miss.

Arkansas’ Brady Tygart tossed 5.0 scoreless innings of relief across two games against Ole Miss over the weekend. He earned his second win of the season on Saturday, fanning a pair over two hitless frames of work. The Razorbacks’ closer came back in Sunday’s series finale against the Rebels, firing three shutout innings with five strikeouts to pick up his seventh save of the year.

What makes his weekend sweeter, is that the Hernando, Miss. native got some revenge on Ole Miss.

“They were one of the Mississippi schools that I wanted to offer me, and they didn’t offer,” said Tygart following Sunday’s 4-3 Arkansas win. “I had a little bit more of an edge seeing them in that powder blue.”

This is the first week that multiple players from Arkansas have earned SEC weekly honors, and the third and fourth players from Arkansas to earn weekly awards from the conference. Cayden Wallace was named co-SEC player of the week and Hagen Smith earned freshman of the week honors earlier in the season.

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Arkansas Baseball rises in polls following series win over Ole Miss

The Razorbacks earned a well-deserved series win over Ole Miss, which really impressed the pollsters.

After losing their second series of the season at Texas A&M two weeks ago, Arkansas baseball bounced back to take two-of-three from Ole Miss at Baum-Walker Stadium to move to 14-7 in SEC play and a two-game lead in the SEC West standings with three conference series remaining.

The Razorbacks dropped the first game of the series to Ole Miss on Friday but were able to take the final two games in front of a national audience.

Tied at 3-3 heading to the bottom of the 9th inning, [autotag]Jace Bohrofen[/autotag] and [autotag]Braydon Webb[/autotag] reached base with one out, which gave [autotag]Kendall Diggs[/autotag] an opportunity to win the game. He cranked a home run to right field to give the Razorbacks the 6-3 win, evening the series.

Arkansas took the final game of the series on Sunday thanks to a two-run home run by [autotag]Michael Turner[/autotag] and an impressive three-inning relief effort by [autotag]Brady Tygart[/autotag], who allowed one hit while striking out five batters in the 4-3 win.

The series win sets up a crucial series on Friday at Auburn, who is two games behind Arkansas for the top spot in the SEC West standings. How did the polls view the series win over Ole Miss? Take a look below.

Walkin’ Off: Diggs’ homer in bottom of the ninth seals Arkansas victory

Bottom of the ninth. Full count. Tie game. Kendall Diggs had a dream come true for Arkansas.

They are the kind of moments dreamt of by baseball players the world over from a young age.

Bottom of the ninth. Tie game. Full count. [autotag]Kendall Diggs[/autotag] made that dream come true.

Arkansas’ designated hitter, the nine-hole hitter, went yard, hitting a three-run home run to give the Diamond Hogs a 6-3 walk-off win over Ole Miss. The teams play a rubber game Sunday afternoon after the Rebels took Game 1on Friday.

Ole Miss had only tied the game an inning before. Evan Taylor walked three straight Rebels hitters to start the inning. [autotag]Brady Tygart[/autotag] induced a double-play immediately after, but Ole Miss tied the game on it.

[autotag]Braydon Webb[/autotag] also homered for Arkansas for a second straight game and [autotag]Brady Slavens[/autotag] joined him in going deep. Slavens’ homer came in the first and gave the Hogs an early lead.

TJ McCants and Tim Elko hit solo shots in the second and third to put Ole Miss back ahead before Webb’s two-run dinger set the stage for the finale.

Arkansas starter [autotag]Hagen Smith[/autotag] was left out of the decision despite throwing six innings and striking out eight. Tygart picked up the victory, pitching the final two frames in which he walked two and struck out two.