FAYETTEVILLE — Dominic Fletcher made a good first impression at Baum Stadium.
The freshman center fielder went 2-for-4 with a home run and 2 RBI in the Razorbacks' 7-0 win over Miami (Ohio) on Friday. Fletcher also scored two runs from the five hole in Arkansas' lineup.
"Fletcher is swinging the bat good," Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said. "...I would say Fletcher and (outfielder Eric) Cole are our two hottest hitters coming into this game just on what’s gone on the first couple weeks of scrimmages.
"I had a couple people ask me, ‘Why’d you put Fletcher the freshman in the five hole?’ It’s because I felt like he was swinging the bat better than some of the guys that were behind him."
Fletcher gave Arkansas' offense a spark during a six-run first inning.
The left-handed batter came to the plate with two outs and the Razorbacks ahead 1-0. He singled through the right side of the infield to score Luke Bonfield. Then the next six Arkansas hitters reached base before the Razorbacks stranded the bases loaded in their 12th at-bat of the inning.
Fletcher's hit energized his teammates, but it calmed him down.
"Once I got to the on-deck circle it all kind of became real and the nerves started to set in a little bit," Fletcher said. "Once I got up to the plate, you just go back to normal and it's the same game you've been playing for years since you were a little kid. It just kind of happens naturally. I was just lucky enough to get a hit."
Fletcher's home run came in the seventh inning off Miami relief pitcher Andy Almquist. It cleared the wall in right-center field near the 400-foot marker.
He was the first Arkansas freshman to hit a home in a season opener since Andy Wilkins did it in 2008 against Wright State.
"I knew it had a chance, but I also remembered the wind was blowing in and I hit it to a deeper part of the ballpark," Fletcher said. "I got on my horse after a second and it happened to get over."
Fletcher was robbed of a third hit and more RBI in the fourth inning when Miami center fielder Steve Sada made a diving catch in left-center. Had the ball dropped, two runs would have scored and Fletcher would have ended up at least with a double.
"I knew I hit that ball decent and the wind took it a little bit out to left-center," Fletcher said. "I knew it had a chance to get down and he made a good play on it."
It had only been three seasons since a freshman opened the season starting in center field. Andrew Benintendi did it in 2014 and started all but one game that season.
Coaches and teammates seem to expect similar starting stamina from Fletcher, who became the clear leader at the position in the fall. He earned that status mostly because of his defense, but his offense has turned the corner since he returned to Fayetteville for the spring semester.
Fletcher, a Cypress, Calif., native, spent the winter break working out with his brother, David, a high-round draft pick of the Angels two years ago.
"Since he got back from over break and stuff, he's been looking really good, just like you saw today," said Blaine Knight, Arkansas' starting pitcher. "It doesn't shock me that he did as well as he did today. It doesn't shock me that he hit a home run either. He's been doing that consistently since we got back for spring and school started back again."
"His demeanor, it's not like other freshmen," Cole added. "He was ready to go."