FAYETTEVILLE — Friday nights in the SEC might not feel much different than Fridays in the nonconference season for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
The Razorbacks have their final weekend tuneup before conference play by facing another big arm in the first of two games against Rhode Island today at Baum Stadium. The teams will play a doubleheader because of inclement weather in the forecast Saturday.
Rhode Island junior left-hander Tyler Wilson (6-4, 230 pounds) is considered one of the best pitcher prospects in college baseball, ranked the No. 65 prospect overall by Baseball America.
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Friday's Ticket
ARKANSAS vs. RHODE ISLAND (DH)
WHEN: 3 p.m.; Game 2 will begin 40 minutes after the first game ends
WHERE: Baum Stadium
RECORDS: Rhode Island 5-6; Arkansas 10-3
TV: None
INTERNET: SEC Network +
RADIO: Razorback Sports Network. Not all games will be carried by http://www.wholehog…">affiliates.
PITCHING MATCHUPS
Game 1: Rhode Island LHP Tyler Wilson (1-1, 6.59 ERA); Arkansas RHP Blaine Knight (1-1, 2.40 ERA). Game 2: Rhode Island RHP Nick Johnson (0-1, 3.78 ERA); Arkansas RHP Trevor Stephan (3-0, 1.15 ERA).
SHORT HOPS
Only tickets for Friday’s game will be accepted to enter Friday’s doubleheader. Individual tickets purchased for Saturday’s game can be exchanged through the Razorbacks’ ticket office….Arkansas has not designated a Sunday starter for the fourth consecutive weekend. Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn indicated Tuesday that senior right-hander Dominic Taccolini might fill the role once conference play begins after Taccolini struck out 10 in a win over Louisiana-Monroe….Arkansas catcher Grant Koch entered Thursday’s games tied for the SEC lead in home runs (5) and second in RBI (19).
Wilson was No. 2 in the NCAA in wins (13) and batting average against (.148), and 10th in strikeouts (122) last season. He was Rhode Island’s first ever first-team all-American and is a two-time pitcher of the year in the Atlantic-10 Conference.
“For a little over two years he’s been the best pitcher in the history of our program,” Rhode Island coach Raphael Cerrato said.
After battling an illness and a sore shoulder early this season, Cerrato said Wilson is back at full-strength following his first win at North Carolina State last weekend.
Wilson’s ERA ballooned after he walked 6 and allowed 5 runs in a 5-out start in the Rams’ season opener against Missouri State last month, but he has improved in the two starts since. He allowed a combined 5 runs and 5 walks in 12 innings against Houston Baptist and North Carolina State.
Wilson has a low-90s fastball and also throws a change-up and a breaking ball.
“His breaking ball, when it’s on is pretty much unhittable at the college level, and he’s got a plus change-up, too,” Cerrato said. “His first couple of appearances he struggled with command, but he only walked one last week in six innings against NC State. He’s much sharper and I expect him to take another step this week and hopefully throw well Friday afternoon.”
Wilson is the latest in a string of quality Friday starters to face the Razorbacks, something they expect to see when SEC play begins with a home series against Mississippi State next Friday.
The Razorbacks were shut out in 7 2/3 innings against Arizona left-hander JC Cloney last Friday at the Frisco Classic in Texas. Cloney allowed only four base runners to bring his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 38, dating to last season’s College World Series.
Two weeks ago, the Razorbacks faced Bryant right-hander James Karinchak, another top 70 draft prospect, according to Baseball America. Karinchak had a shutout through five innings before the Razorbacks chased him with three runs in the sixth.
“I think it’s really helped us,” Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn said. “..It’s going to get us ready for Mississippi State. They’re going to have good arms and a team with a lot of experience back.
“Obviously winning a lot of (nonconference) games makes your record look great a lot of times, but does it get you ready? Time usually tells. I think we’ll be more prepared to win in league play this year.”
Rhode Island (5-6) won the A-10 and was an NCAA Tournament team a year ago. Wilson struck out 11 as the Rams upset South Carolina in their regional opener last season. Rhode Island was eliminated by the Gamecocks two days later.
“He’s not fazed by playing in front of several thousand people,” Cerrato said. “It was a really, really hostile environment at South Carolina and he was pretty darn good.”
The Rams’ three games in Fayetteville are part of 23 consecutive road games to start the season. Rhode Island already has played in Louisiana, Texas and North Carolina, and is scheduled to play in seven different states before its first home game on March 31.
“We like to challenge ourselves,” Cerrato said. “I’d rather play Arkansas and lose three competitive games than play Charleston Southern and take two out of three. I think there is a lot of benefit for us to play in that environment.”