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COLLEGE BASEBALL : Darr, House give UA lift Published: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 PRINT E-MAIL FAYETTEVILLE — They don’t start frequently, so Andrew Darr and Jacob House made their spots in the Arkansas lineup count Tuesday. The Razorbacks’ backup outfielders hit back-to-back home runs in the third inning and made their case for additional playing time in Arkansas’ 9-0 rout of Centenary before an announced crowd of 3, 062 at Baum Stadium. Freshman Andy Wilkins drove in five runs in the first two innings for the Razorbacks (15-8 ), who seemed comfortable at home after losing three of five games last week during a road trip to Nebraska and LSU. “We came out a little bit earlier than normal and worked on things since we haven’t been able to practice,” Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said. “We just seemed a bit more ready to play. I thought we did a really good job.”
House, a freshman from Mansfield, Texas, started 10 of the first 22 games, while Darr, a transfer from Chandler-Gilbert (Ariz. ) Junior College, made his eighth start. Both are hitting when given at-bats. House is batting. 296 (16 for 54 ) with 4 home runs and 13 RBI, while Darr’s first home run of the season increased his RBI total to five. Darr, who is batting. 520 (13 for 25 ), went 3 for 3 and reached base all four times Tuesday. In last weekend’s SEC series at LSU, Darr started Friday’s game and House came off the bench to collect three hits in Arkansas’ 14-13 comeback victory. Van Horn said he’d like to get both at least one weekend start, especially when everyday players are slumping against the better pitching the Razorbacks are bound to see in conference play. Van Horn said House is close to playing his way into a regular role. “We’ve got to be mentally focused on those days off and when we do get [to play ] and get limited opportunities, you have to be ready to go,” House said. “Knowing that you’ve prepared during the week has to make you ready to perform that one day out of the week.” House led off the third inning with a home run to left-center on the first pitch and Darr came back with another to left, the third time the Razorbacks have hit consecutive home runs this season. “When your number is called, it’s exciting, and anything you can do to help the club out is our main goal,” Darr said. “Playing every day would be awesome, and everybody on this team can play. “ It’s a lot of confidence, the confidence builder in me that the coaches know I can get it done.” The Razorbacks have been more accustomed to Wilkins ’ season-long run production. He’s up to 30 RBI, just three behind team leader Aaron Murphree, and smacked Johnny Noland’s pitch into the right-field bullpen in the first inning. Wilkins followed up his seventh home run with a three-run triple in the second inning to put Arkansas ahead 6-0. “We were in control then,” Van Horn said. Senior Travis Hill (2-1 ) started for the Razorbacks and had career highs in innings pitched (six ) and strikeouts (four ) while picking up the victory. Hill allowed two hits and walked one. Ben Tschepikow batted leadoff for Arkansas and reached base four times, scored three runs and drove in another with a second-inning single. The Razorbacks consider themselves a fastball-hitting team, which Centenary (13-5 ) found out in the first of a two-game series that concludes today. “Our left-hander [Noland ] wasn’t very good,” Gents Coach Ed McCann said. “He couldn’t throw his curveball for a strike.” More Stories From: CHRIS COCOLES · Mitchell's talent crosses sports · Keuchel refuses to give in to Cavs · Cavaliers stay loose despite pressure · LSU back in power thanks to long ball Yesterday's Most Popular 2. Exceptions rule Fayetteville High alums well represented at FCC match-play championship Today's Most E-mailed 1. LIKE IT IS : Football prognosticators ready to fire up fans 2. FIRECRACKER FAST 5K : Former Hog Forrest too fast for competition |
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