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COLLEGE BASEBALL : Murphree adds 3 to home run spree Published: Saturday, March 08, 2008 PRINT E-MAIL FAYETTEVILLE — Aaron Murphree is turning Arkansas ’ baseball games into his own Home Run Derby. Murphree continued his tear with three more home runs Friday as Arkansas overpowered Siena 14-5 before 673 fans at Baum Stadium. Murphree hit his eighth, ninth and 10 th home runs of the season and has eight home runs in his past four games. Andy Wilkins and Jacob House also hit home runs for Arkansas, which has piled up 17 home runs in the past four games. The power output comes on the heels of a 13-1 and 20-4 doubleheader sweep of South Dakota State on Wednesday, when the Razorbacks had eight home runs and 32 hits. Murphree’s first home run Friday was wind-aided to right field, but his second and third were massive drives to center field. His home run in the eighth inning cleared a 40-foot wall as center fielder Jason DeFilippo stood and looked up at the impressive shot.
“Unbelievable,” Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said of Murphree’s home run pace. “It’s one of those things where he’s confident and putting good swings on everything. “ I’ve never seen anything like it, and it’s fun to watch.” Murphree has already surpassed his offensive totals for last season, when he hit. 243 in only 16 games. He went 3 for 4 Friday to improve his average to. 512 with 24 RBI. “I’ve been working hard in the [batting ] cage and getting good pitches to hit,” said Murphree, a senior from Weatherford, Texas. “I’m getting ahead in the count and seeing more fastballs, which helps a lot.” Ben Tschepikow and Tim Smalling had four hits each for Arkansas, which outhit Siena 17-10. The Razorbacks scored in six consecutive innings to easily wipe out Siena’s 2-0 lead in the first. “We had trouble with their whole club, but [Murphree ] was just in the zone,” Siena Coach Tony Rossi said. “I told my coaches I don’t know what [Van Horn’s ] been feeding him, but he was just hitting some monster shots today.” Dallas Keuchel (2-0 ) picked up the victory in relief of Mike Bolsinger, who made his first start for 2 Arkansas. Bolsinger pitched 4 / 3 innings and fell one out short of a victory after allowing 4 runs on 6 hits. “[Bolsinger ] wasn’t throwing too good,” Van Horn said of taking the right-hander out in the fifth inning. “Even in the first inning, he’d get two strikes and leave a pitch up. He got away with some pitches that were singles but might of left the yard on a Friday night [in SEC play ].” Jacob Willis had two hits, including a home run, to lead the Saints. Wilkins and Murphree answered with home runs in the bottom of the first to take a 4-2 lead. Murphree homered again in his second at-bat before House joined in with a two-run home run to give Arkansas an 8-2 lead in the fourth. Siena scored two in the fifth to chase Bolsinger, but Keuchel slowed 1 the Saints with 2 / 3 innings of scoreless relief. Sam Murphy pitched the final two innings in his first appearance for the Razorbacks. Yesterday's Most Popular 1. HOG FUTURES JERRY MITCHELL : Hurricane brings Mitchell to Hogs 2. THE RECRUITING GUY : Purifoy's size fits into UA's plans 3. Iowa prep standout Kelly joins UA track 4. Former Diamond Hog Richards inks contract with Marlins Today's Most E-mailed |
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