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ARKANSAS 10, SIENA 4 : Time to get serious Published: Monday, March 10, 2008 PRINT E-MAIL FAYETTEVILLE - Arkansas finished off Siena on Sunday with two more home runs and solid defense that defined the series. Aaron Murphree and Casey Coon each hit three-run home runs as the Razorbacks won 10-4 before 3, 511 fans at Baum Stadium. The victory completed a sweep for Arkansas, which outscored Siena 41-11 and hit 9 home runs to 2 for the Saints. Now comes the hard part, when Arkansas (11-1 ) receives a serious upgrade in competition over the next two weeks. The Razorbacks start with two games at Arizona State, which is ranked No. 1 in the nation by Collegiate Baseball magazine. Arkansas then opens SEC play with Georgia before playing two games at Nebraska and three more conference games at LSU. That stretch adds up to quite a challenge for the Razorbacks, whose lone loss was a 15-7 defeat to Texas A&M in the Aggie Classic. "We got it handed to us pretty good at Texas A&M, but that tournament made us better," Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said. "We've taken care of business pretty much leading up to this stretch with Arizona State, Georgia, at Nebraska and at LSU.
" I'm ready to start playing some real good teams, and I think we've got a really good team, too." Siena (1-9 ) offered little resistance Sunday, starting in the first inning when Murphree hit his 12 th home run of the season and 10 th in his past six games. Casey Coon followed with his first home run of the season in the fourth inning to increase the Arkansas lead to 8-1. The rest of the game was uneventful as a laid-back crowd watched pitchers from both teams struggle to finish the game. Nine pitchers combined to walk 15 batters, and five more hitters were struck by pitches. The lone bright spot was Arkansas starter Shaun Seibert (1-0 ), who overcame a rough beginning to hold Sienna to 1 run and 2 hits in 4 innings. Seibert struck out 5 and walked 1 after three of the first four Siena hitters reached base. The junior right-hander is trying to recover from elbow ligament replacement surgery, and he showed enough improvement to warrant another start against Georgia. "Shaun had some great innings," Van Horn said. "He was throwing the ball hard and was throwing good breaking balls. We need him with his experience, especially with SEC play starting up." Murphree hit a home run for the sixth consecutive game in the first after Chase Leavitt was hit by a pitch and Coon walked. Coon then delivered the next big blow for Arkansas with a three-run home run in the fourth inning. Ryan Cisterna contributed a tworun double in the seventh before Siena scored three against Travis Hill, who walked two and hit a batter in the eighth. "Arkansas has the best-hitting club by far of the teams we've faced," said Siena Coach Tony Rossi, whose team has played Florida, Virginia and Cornell. "They play great defense, but pitchingwise, Arkansas looks like it's fishing a little bit trying to find some starters. But they've got some good arms, and I'm sure they'll find the right combination." Freshmen will play a big role for Arkansas against Arizona State, with James Mahler likely getting the start on Tuesday and Brett Eibner taking the mound on Wednesday. Andy Wilkins could start at third base again in place of Logan Forsythe, who has missed six consecutive games with a hamstring injury. "Arizona State is going to be a great challenge, and we'll find out who are players are," said Wilkins, who is hitting. 395 wit 4 home runs. "We've played some good teams, but not like the ones we're about to face. It's a chance to shine and show what kind of team we are." More Stories From: RICK FIRES · Second day sends Springston home · San Diego chooses UA third baseman · Hogs plan to host 5-team tournament · Hogs want to avoid major draft hit Yesterday's Most Popular 1. Pelphrey expects Monk to join team 2. Pelphrey: Early signees fill Razorbacks’ needs 3. Neck and neck : Brothers split snaps at quarterback in Tuesday practice 4. ARKANSAS AT MISSISSIPPI STATE : Brother vs. brother 5. Hogs’ signees pass eye test, coach says Yesterday's Most E-mailed 1. Pelphrey expects Monk to join team 2. Pelphrey preaching discipline 3. Neck and neck : Brothers split snaps at quarterback in Tuesday practice 4. LIKE IT IS : Big 12, SEC prove they’re the best this season |
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