FAYETTEVILLE — As Andrew Benintendi crushed another ball into the Fayetteville night Friday, he couldn't help but pause midway through his backswing and admire what he'd done.
Who could blame him? His seventh inning blast into the trees beyond the right field wall at Baum Stadium was something to behold - one of those cracks of the bat that makes you stop in your tracks and turn your head.
The no-doubter went at least 400 feet, easily clearing the fence between the 320-foot and 365-foot markers.
"Yeah, I enjoyed it a little bit," Benintendi said.
Benintendi had already hit another home run Friday, although not as impressive as his second one. His solo home run in the first inning landed in the opposing bullpen, tying Wake Forest's Will Craig for the national lead in home runs.
His seventh inning shot gave him 13 and first place all alone. He's the first Arkansas batter with more than 10 home runs since the NCAA deadened the bats prior to the 2011 season.
Still, he's adamant he's not a home run hitter. He's a matter-of-fact guy, confident in his ability but far from cocky about the recent show he's put on at the ballpark.
"I'm just trying to hit the ball hard," he said. "...I've got good guys around me, in front of me and behind me. They're going to have to pitch to me because of those guys. I'm just grateful right now."
The Cincinnati native is red-hot as the Razorbacks enter Saturday's game with a chance to win their third consecutive series. He has four home runs in his last six official at-bats (he's been walked four times in two games) and has scored a run seven of the last nine times he has come to the plate.
"He's just a good hitter coming of age and he's hot," Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said. "I hope he stays hot."
His home run stretch is Arkansas' best since Aaron Murphree hit eight home runs in four games early in the 2008 season. It's reminiscent to the one Eric Fisher had last season when he hit a home run in four consecutive SEC games.
Since last Friday's opener at Auburn, Benintendi has hit six home runs, including an inside-the-park homer in the first inning of Wednesday's game against Mississippi Valley State. His home run total is up 1,200 percent over last season, when he hit one home run in the Razorbacks' second series of the season.
"I don't think I'd want to pitch to him right now," Arkansas pitcher Trey Killian said. "I'd compete against him, but he's on a tear right now and he's pretty confident. He'd definitely be a tough out."
Benintendi's at-bats have become must-see for everyone in the stadium.
"It seems like in the dugout we feel like he's going to hit a home run every time, or at least get a hit," Killian said. "He's seeing the ball great right now and he's on an unreal tear.
"It's great to see and it's definitely great to have him on our side."
Benintendi is already nearing one of the top 10 home run seasons in program history. He's on pace to threaten Ryan Lundquist's season record of 24 set in 1997.
He might be doing it in his final season with the Razorbacks. He'll turn 21 this summer, making him draft-eligible as a sophomore. His .366 average and new-found power have scouts taking note.
For now, his success is correlating with Arkansas' best stretch of the season. After starting 1-5 in conference play, the Razorbacks have won five of their last seven SEC games.
"Everybody's contributing but I think Benintendi has a huge part in our success," Killian said. "His success is just rubbing off on other guys and other guys are starting to hit the ball well, and the confidence is just spreading around."