Freshman looks solid on mound

FAYETTEVILLE — Brett Eibner plays plenty of outfield on SEC weekends, but Arkansas has yet to give the freshman a pitching assignment in a conference series.

With Arkansas’ bullpen plagued by inconsistency of late, Eibner showed Wednesday he could at least provide an inning or two on the mound with three innings of shutout ball in the Razorbacks’ 7-1 victory over Northern Colorado at Baum Stadium.

The start was Eibner’s first pitching appearance since April 8, and he earned the decision.

“He threw pretty well, and we felt like we needed him to get back on the mound and see what he can do,” Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said. “Some of the new guys did really well the last couple days. Let’s see if they can take into the weekend.”

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Freshman Sam Murphy and sophomore Mike Bolsinger passed whatever Van Horn was looking for Tuesday. Both will make the trip to Ole Miss this weekend.

As for Eibner, who is hitting. 331 with a team-high 37 RBI, he’s just trying to take advantage whenever he gets the call to pitch.

“I’m trying to find a good release point,” said Eibner, who allowed 3 hits, 1 walk and struck out 2. “I haven’t been throwing a lot of strikes, and we decided to take off a little bit of velocity. Back in high school, I was throwing hard and I could control it, but I get here and I’ve had to change things up.” Thrill of the Chase

With outfielder Sean Jones working his way back into everyday playing duties, Chase Leavitt’s playing time is decreasing, but the junior who filled in admirably at the leadoff spot continues to be effective.

Leavitt’s patience should keep getting him at-bats. He’s second on the team with 27 walks, and as the No. 1 hitter he walked four times in two victories over Northern Colorado.

Leavitt is batting. 342 with a. 507 on-base percentage for the year.

“He’s a good top-of-thelineup guy or a nine-hole guy,” Coach Dave Van Horn said. “He’s going to see a lot of pitches and be a tough out. Hopefully he’s going to wear down pitchers and get that pitch count up.”

Leavitt, who bats left-handed, still figures to play some this weekend with Ole Miss starting two right-handed pitchers. Hrozek redshirting

Arkansas junior outfielder Wayne Hrozek, who has been out with a broken hand since March 2, will take a medical redshirt, Coach Dave Van Horn said. Seibert’s struggles

Wednesday’s game ended with Razorbacks junior Shaun Seibert pitching, but he struggled to get through the ninth and continues to have command issues.

Seibert walked two and allowed a pair of hits in his one inning of work. After getting a victory in a solid relief appearance at Missouri State on April 1, Seibert has allowed 6 earned runs and walked 7 in his last 4 outings, a total of 4 innings.

“You can only do so much for him. It’s up to him,” Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said. “It was really more of getting behind hitters or he would have been fine.”