Tag: Chris Lanzilli

Stayin’ Alive: Arkansas forces winner-take-all game with Ole Miss after win Wednesday

Zack Morris’ brilliant ninth inning saves Arkansas, forces winner-take-all game against Ole Miss on Thursday.

With the bases loaded, nobody out in the ninth inning and Arkansas nursing a two-run lead, Zack Morris made his jog from the bullpen. Two nights before he recorded a grand total of one out in a start against Ole Miss.

On Wednesday, he recorded three. In that exact situation.

The junior gave up a run-scoring infield hit, but recorded a strikeout, induced a flyout and a lineout to lift Arkansas to a win, 3-2, over the Rebels.

The victory forced a winner-take-all game between the two teams on Thursday night. The winner of that will play in the national championship series against Oklahoma, which eliminated No. 5 Texas A&M earlier in the day.

Ole Miss loaded the bases with no one out in the ninth after Evan Taylor allowed a single on the first pitch and Brady Tygart hit back-to-back Rebels batters on consecutive pitches. Van Horn called for Morris.

Chris Lanzilli homered for Arkansas in the second but was immediately followed in the bottom of the inning by Kemp Alderman going solo. Hagen Smith came out recorded strikeouts on eight of the next nine outs he recorded.

Meanwhile, Brady Slavens went yard with another solo home run in the fifth and Michael Turner hit an RBI single in the eighth to provide a bit of insurance.

Taylor entered in the sixth and allowed just a single hit through his first three innings. Alderman took the first pitch of the ninth to right field, though, to bring the tying run to the plate and finish Taylor’s night for Brady Tygart, the man who served as Arkansas’ closer most of the year.

But it was Morris who closed it and kept the Diamond Hogs alive for another day.

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.

Arkansas scores 17 in demolition of Stanford at College World Series

Arkansas’ bats save their best for the College World Series in blasting No. 2 Stanford.

Chris Lanzilli was not fooled by the changeup. The ball left his bat at 106 miles-per-hour and traveled beyond the left field wall.

It was the first of many impressive hitting moments for Arkansas, which had zero trouble with the No. 2 overall seed Stanford, 17-2, in the first round of the College World Series.

Lanzilli’s homer broke a 1-all tie with the Cardinal with one out in the fifth and the Razorbacks piled on from there. Arkansas racked up 21 hits, seven of which went for extra bases, in the easy win.

The Diamond Hogs will now get the winner of Auburn and Ole Miss. Those two meet Saturday night.

Every Arkansas starter had at least two hits, paced by Michael Turner’s 4-for-6 day. Peyton Stovall knocked in four runners and Cayden Wallace knocked in another three.

Alex Williams, the PAC 12 Pitcher of the Year, went 4 1/3 innings, giving up eight hits and two walks while striking out six and allowing five runs.

Robert Moore added the fifth run to Williams’ tally after the Cardinal starter left the game. Moore’s single to right served as the exit for Williams, but after Jalen Battles walked and Peyton Stovall hit into a fielder’s choice, Moore scored from third base on a wild pitch by Ryan Bruno.

An RBI single by nine-hole hitter Zack Gregory tacked on another run off Bruno to make it 6-1. That was that.

Every Arkansas batter had reached base at least once by the fifth. The Diamond Hogs lineup finished with 21 hits and seven walks.

Meanwhile, Arkansas starter Connor Noland mowed down the Stanford lineup. He worked 7 2/3 innings, helping his bullpen in the short week in Omaha, Nebraska, giving up just six hits.

Arkansas wasted little time opening the scoring. Braydon Webb led off the game with a triple and he scored two batters later on Cayden Wallace’s sacrifice fly.

Stanford tied things in the bottom of the inning in even faster fashion. Brock Jones took the third pitch of the game from Arkansas starter Connor Noland to deep left field over the wall.

Arkansas will get either the Tigers or Rebels on Monday night. The Razorbacks won SEC series against both during the regular season.

Razorbacks hang 20 in outstanding comeback win over Oklahoma State

The Hogs never gave up on Saturday night, and now they are one win away from moving onto the Super Regionals

In a game that lasted four hours and 53 minutes, every second of Saturday’s winner’s bracket game between Arkansas and Oklahoma State was just as exciting as it was important.

Through six innings of the game, Oklahoma State seemed to have complete control with a 10-5 lead. However, Arkansas would score 15 runs over the final three frames to grab a 20-12 win over the host Cowboys, and to move one step closer to the Super Regional round.

The Cowboys added to their comfortable lead in the bottom of the 6th inning by scoring three runs. Two on RBI singles, and one run scoring from third base on a ground out, to give them the 10-5 advantage.

Arkansas began chipping away in the top of the 7th inning. The Razorbacks began the inning with two quick outs, but a solo home run by [autotag]Michael Turner[/autotag] would keep Arkansas in the inning, trimming down the Oklahoma State lead to 10-6. That home run was enough to give the Razorbacks a spark, as [autotag]Chris Lanzilli[/autotag] would double in the next at-bat, then came home on a two-run home run by[autotag] Robert Moore[/autotag], cutting the Cowboy lead to 10-8.

Momentum stayed with Arkansas into the 8th inning, as the Razorbacks took the lead by scoring eight runs on three hits. The first three batters of the game reached, which set up four runs on three bases-loaded walks, and a hit by pitch.

Once Arkansas grabbed the lead, they would pour on four more runs with one swing of the bat. [autotag]Jalen Battles[/autotag] stepped to the plate, and with full confidence, smashed the first pitch of the at-bat over the left field fence to blow the game open for Arkansas.

Oklahoma State grabbed two runs in the bottom of the 8th, but Arkansas never waivered. To add insurance, Arkansas added four more runs in the top of the 9th inning. With one down and two on, Lanzilli clubbed a three-run shot down the left field line.

The home run would be Lanzilli’s 50th of his career, and it would extend Arkansas’ lead to 19-12. The final run of the game came on an infield single by [autotag]Peyton Stovall[/autotag] that involved a throwing error, scoring Moore and to seal the game.

Five Razorbacks grabbed multiple hits in the game, with Chris Lanzilli, Robert Moore, Michael Turner, and Jalen Battles all sending four runs across the plate.

In a game that saw seven pitchers used, freshman [autotag]Brady Tygart[/autotag] would get the win for Arkansas. Tygart allowed one hit and two earned runs in 1.2 innings of work. Starter [autotag]Hagen Smith[/autotag] went just 1.1 innings, allowing two hits, two earned runs and issuing four walks in his first start since May 14 vs. Vanderbilt at Baum-Walker Stadium.

Arkansas is just one win away from winning the Stillwater Regional. The only thing standing in their way is the winner of Oklahoma State/Missouri State game that will begin at noon CDT. The Razorbacks will meet the winner of that game on Sunday evening at 6 p.m. CDT.

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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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PHOTO GALLERY: Arkansas’ stay at the SEC Tournament

Here are the best images from Arkansas’ run at the SEC Tournament in Hoover, Ala.

After a week-long stay in Alabama, the Arkansas Razorbacks could not wait to get home.

Arkansas began their trip to Alabama on May 18 to begin the final SEC series of the year at Alabama. After playing three games in Tuscaloosa, the Razorbacks made the short drive to Hoover to begin their journey in the SEC Tournament.

By claiming the no. 3 seed in the tournament, the Razorbacks were guaranteed at least two games in Hoover, beginning with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

In their meeting with Alabama, the Crimson Tide jumped out to an early 3-0 lead through two innings. The Razorbacks got a run back on a solo home run by [autotag]Jalen Battles[/autotag]. After the Tide answered to move their lead back to three runs, [autotag]Chris Lanzilli[/autotag] hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the 6th inning to trim the lead to 4-3. But, Alabama would silence Arkansas’ bats en route to a victory.

Arkansas’ next draw would be the Florida Gators, a team that took two-of-three from Arkansas during the season.

The game with Florida played out almost similar to the Alabama game, where Arkansas’ opponent would jump out to a large lead, and Arkansas running out of time in an effort to take the win.

Florida lead by as much as five runs before Arkansas got on the board. To lead off the 6th inning, [autotag]Cayden Wallace[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Turner[/autotag] hit back-to-back solo home runs to cut the Florida lead to 5-2. The Razorbacks would score three runs in the 9th to bring the game within two, but would run out of outs. Florida eliminated the Razorbacks by grabbing a 7-5 win.

Next for Arkansas is the NCAA Regionals. The Razorbacks will learn their postseason fate on Monday afternoon.

 

Diamond Hogs upset by Alabama in SEC Tournament

Arkansas’ bullpen stifles Alabama, but it was too late as the Diamond Hogs lost to the Tide for the third time in four games.

That was moderately unexpected.

Arkansas baseball, the No. 3-seeded team in the SEC Baseball Tournament, fell to No. 11 Alabama on Wednesday in the second round, 4-3. The Razorbacks are now in the elimination bracket and can’t lose again or they’re gone from Hoover.

Alabama jumped out to a 4-1 lead after four innings, chasing Diamond Hogs starter Will McEntire after just 2 1/3. His bullpen gave up just two hits the rest of the way, but the Arkansas lineup managed just five hits itself for the whole game.

Chris Lanzilli popped a two-run home run in the sixth to pull the Razorbacks within a run. But Jalen Battles was the only player to collect a hit after that point, his single putting him on first base with two outs in the ninth. Jace Bohrofen struck out to end the game.

Arkansas’ opponent the next round is to-be-determined. Rain washed out the entire rest of Wednesday’s four-game schedule. Three second-round games remain, plus, in theory, Thursday’s originally scheduled games. It’s unclear how the league will proceed. Rain is expected all morning Saturday in the greater Birmingham, Alabama, metro area, though it’s supposed to clear by 2 p.m. and remain that way the rest of the weekend.

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Late rally falls shy by one run as Diamond Hogs fall to Texas A&M

The Diamond Hogs put up five runs in the eighth, but Texas A&M retired six straight to end the game.

So close.

[autotag]Arkansas baseball[/autotag] nearly had it. The Diamond Hogs plated five runs in the eighth inning of Sunday’s series finale against Texas A&M, but the Aggies held on by a lone run to clinch the three-game set, 11-10.

Arkansas trailed 11-5 heading to the eighth before [autotag]Cayden Wallace[/autotag] homered to lead off the inning. [autotag]Chris Lanzilli[/autotag] added another with an RBI single three batters later. [autotag]Peyton Stovall[/autotag] followed with an RBI single, as well. The Diamond Hogs had nobody out still when Dylan Leach plated two two batters after Stovall.

Jacob Palisch struck out three straight Arkansas batters, however, to end things in the inning with Jalen Battles stuck on third base. Arkansas went down 1-2-3 in the ninth to end things and give the Aggies the series win.

Thanks to Georgia’s Sunday loss to LSU, however, Arkansas (31-9, 12-6) maintained its position in second place in the SEC. The Hogs are five games back of the No. 1 team in the nation, Tennessee.

Arkansas plays a one-off game Tuesday against Central Arkansas in North Little Rock before returning to Fayetteville on Friday for a three-game set against Ole Miss.

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Hogs tied series with Texas A&M behind Brady Slavens’ day

Arkansas designated hitter Brady Slavens hit two home runs to lift the Diamond Hogs past Texas A&M.

Entering Saturday’s game against Texas A&M, [autotag]Arkansas baseball[/autotag] had only lost consecutive games this season once. A fall against the Aggies in College Station would make it twice.

[autotag]Brady Slavens[/autotag] wasn’t having it.

The Arkansas outfielder hit a pair of solo home runs to help the Diamond Hogs to tie the series against A&M with a 3-1 win on Saturday.

Slavens’ first jack came in the first inning. Batting from the 2-hole, the senior outfielder planted a 2-1 pitch over the right field wall to open the scoring. [autotag]Chris Lanzilli[/autotag] made it 2-0, Arkansas, when he scored on a wild pitch in the second and Slavens’ other homer came in the third to centerfield.

Slavens went 2 for 3 with the two homers and two walks on the day.

Texas A&M had its chances, especially early. The Aggies chased starter [autotag]Hagen Smith[/autotag] after just three innings, but they left six runners on in the first three frames, including leaving the bases loaded in the first. Smith exited after allowing two hits and five walks with just one strikeout.

The Arkansas bullpen stiffened. Zack Morris, Zebulon Vermillion, Evan Taylor and [autotag]Brady Tygart[/autotag] pitched the final six innings and gave up just six baserunners.

The rubber game between the two teams is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday.