STARKVILLE, Miss. — James Mahler suggested he can help the Razorbacks in a postseason setting after bringing some much-needed sanity to a series that was driving his team crazy.

A third consecutive loss to Mississippi State seemed a real possibility when Mahler entered in the sixth inning, the Razorbacks now down a run and in danger of having another loss smudging James Mahler their NCAA resume.

But the freshman right-hander was the day’s best pitcher when almost everyone who took the mound couldn’t throw strikes.

2 He tossed 3 / 3 innings of one-hit, shutout baseball and earned the decision in a 15-10 victory at Dudy Noble Field. Mahler worked Arkansas out of a bases-loaded mess in the sixth after its 9-2 lead became a 10-9 Mississippi State lead. Mark Goforth and Grant Hogue each struck out to strand the three runners, and of the 10 outs Mahler recorded, eight were on strikeouts as he didn’t let Mississippi State take advantage of his two walks. “My mindset was to go out and pound the [strike ] zone,” said Mahler, who when he was at his best consistently got ahead of hitters and exploited his advantages in the count. “Personally I’m behind in the count way too much and that’s something I need to work on.”

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Mahler’s 68 pitches marked the most significant work he’s given the Razorbacks in a while. He started the season opener against Wright State but suffered through command issues that made his appearances less frequent as the season wore on.

He also had periods where his arm was sore, but he threw with confidence and attacked the Bulldog hitters who throughout the three-game series nicked Arkansas pitchers for timely hits that ultimately won the series and knocked the Razorbacks out of the SEC Tournament.

“He wanted the ball. He threw strikes when he came in during a difficult situation and didn’t show any fear out there. The best I’ve seen him pitch,” Arkansas catcher Jeff Nutt said. “He’s a got the good knuckle-curve and throws his fastball with good velocity. He comes right at people. And he’s big out there at 6-7 so it’s an intimidating presence on the mound.”

If the Razorbacks are to sneak into the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team, they’re in need of some Mahler-sized attitude and a mean streak after letting two potential victories slip away in the late innings here on Thursday and Friday. Following up with an outing similar to this one is Mahler’s next challenge.

With the team’s pitching plans again uncertain awaiting its postseason fate, Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn has to throw Mahler onto his short list considering how tough he looked on Saturday.

“He had a little attitude out there,” Van Horn said. “He just came at them with his fastball.”