FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas outfielders Joe Serrano and Tyler Spoon will draw walks before the No. 20 Razorbacks open their final home series against Tennessee at 6:35 tonight in Baum Stadium.
Serrano, a senior from Tucson, Ariz., and Spoon, a redshirt junior from Van Buren, will walk in graduation ceremonies in Barnhill Arena that start at 3 p.m. as they receive degrees in recreation and sports management.
Today’s game
Tennessee at No. 20 Arkansas
WHEN 6:35 p.m.
WHERE Baum Stadium, Fayetteville
RECORDS Arkansas 29-18 , 14-10 SEC. Tennessee 19-24, 7-17.
SERIES Arkansas leads 30-25
RADIO Razorbacks Sports Network statewide. Not all games will be carried by all affiliates. Check local listings.
INTERNET SEC Network Plus.
TICKETS $12 reserved seats, $10 general admission
PITCHING MATCHUP Tennessee: Andy Cox (LHP, 1-3, 3.60 ERA). Arkansas: Trey Killian (RHP, 2-3, 5.40 ERA).
SHORT HOPS Arkansas has won 13 of its past 16 games against Tennessee and has not lost a three-game home series against the Vols since 1996. … The Razorbacks are looking to win seven consecutive SEC series for the first time since joining the conference for the 1992 season. They won seven consecutive Southwest Conference series in 1979 and 1990. … Arkansas center fielder Andrew Benintendi leads the nation with 15 home runs and has reached base in 20 consecutive games. He’s batting .386 to lead the SEC. … There will be a fireworks display after tonight’s game. … Arkansas’ seniors will be honored on the field prior to Saturday’s night’s game. … All three games of the Arkansas-Tennessee series will be available on the Internet on SEC Nework Plus. … Sunday’s game starts at noon, an hour earlier than originally scheduled.
THE WEEK AHEAD
TODAY vs Tennessee, 6:35 p.m.
SATURDAY vs Tennessee, 6:05 p.m.
SUNDAY vs. Tennessee, noon
MONDAY off
TUESDAY at Creighton, 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY off
THURSDAY at Georgia 6 p.m.
"We're actually going to be a little bit late to the ballpark," Serrano said. "But to get to walk across that stage after four years, I think we earned it."
Serrano and Spoon won't wear baseball uniforms under their graduation gowns to save time.
"We thought about it," Spoon said. "But we figured they wouldn't let us do that."
Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn has no problem with Serrano and Spoon being a little late for pregame activities.
"It's a special day," Van Horn said. "Any time you get that degree and you can walk, you walk. I'm excited for those guys and all the other guys that are going to get to walk and receive that diploma that they've worked hard for."
Serrano and Spoon, the only remaining players from Arkansas' 2012 recruiting class, said it's fitting they are graduating in the same ceremony.
"We came in here together, played in the outfield together and had classes together all through the last four years," Spoon said. "So it's cool to go through graduation with Joe, too."
Serrano said he and Spoon share a special bond considering all they've been through at Arkansas on and off the field.
"It just shows we had the endurance to stick it out and fight to the very end," Serrano said. "We've both had really good times here.
"I see Tyler as a great friend and someone I'm always going to be in touch with. I'm just glad I've gotten to play with him."
Serrano and Spoon have played in a combined 359 games for the Razorbacks with 378 hits in 1,295 at-bats, 198 runs driven in and 211 runs scored.
Serrano is the only Razorback who played in the 2012 College World Series -- when he was 5 for 13 in four games -- and Arkansas is 154-87 during his career. The Razorbacks are 108-65 since Spoon redshirted as a freshman.
"They've played a lot of innings here," Van Horn said. "Pretty steady Eddie guys right there. Two tough outs. Two guys that have a lot of baseball common sense and brought a lot of leadership to the team, especially this year."
Serrano and Spoon are among several Razorbacks who are seniors or draft-eligible players, meaning the Tennessee series could be the final time they play at home.
"I think we all get a little emotional about it," Van Horn said. "They've put in a lot of time and hours here. Some of these guys it was four, five, six years ago when we recruited them, brought them in finally.
"Hopefully, it'll be a good weekend for these guys."
Serrano, playing left field and batting second this season, is hitting .278 with 9 doubles, 3 home runs, 25 RBI and 36 runs. In SEC play he leads the Razorbacks with 18 RBI.
"Joe's Mr. Clutch," Spoon said. "He gets a hit every time we need one."
Spoon, who has played right field most of his career and primarily batted fourth this season, is hitting .341 with 15 doubles, 4 home runs and 40 RBI and 26 runs. He's hitting .333 with 17 RBI in SEC games.
"Tyler's had a great career here," Serrano said. "I look at that guy, and I'm just proud of his accomplishments."
Spoon said the possibility of playing at home for the last time on the same weekend he'll graduate with Spoon is a bittersweet feeling.
If Arkansas (29-18, 14-10 SEC) can win its series against Tennessee and at Georgia and win some games n the SEC Tournament, the Razorbacks might have a shot to host an NCAA Regional.
"Hopefully it's not the last time we play here," Spoon said of the Tennessee series. "We're going to try to play here again in a few weeks."
Sports on 05/08/2015