FAYETTEVILLE — Sophomore Isaiah Campbell needed 23 pitches to record his first out and 31 to get out of a rocky first inning in Arkansas' 32-4 win over Bucknell on Saturday.
Leadoff batter Dominic Toso worked a seven-pitch walk, then JohnPaul Bell worked the 6-4 right-hander for eight pitches before lacing a double just inside the first-base bag to score Toso.
Campbell rallied to leave Bell at second base by inducing a fly out by Luke Johnson, striking out Keifer Rawlings and retiring Mike Korchak on an infield pop.
Campbell settled down in three subsequent innings. He finished with a career-high 7 strikeouts and allowed 1 run on 3 hits and 2 walks.
"It was just good to see Isaiah kind of bounce back after that first inning," Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said. "He did a good job of getting out of that inning, but you could tell he was uncomfortable.
"I think he was a little bit nervous. He threw extremely well the next three innings. We needed to see that and he needed to see that. Once he got over the hump he did what he does, he throws strikes downhill and they have a hard time hitting him."
Campbell, admitting he was "really nervous," said he returned to form after the long Bell at-bat.
"I had my fastball really well today," Campbell said. "Cutter looked really sharp. That was my go-to off speed. Mixing some change ups here and there."
Campbell, Cody Scroggins and Hunter Milligan all pitched well for the Razorbacks in their first games back from surgeries on Saturday. Junior Keaton McKinney will try to follow Sunday in his first start since undergoing Tommy John surgery last winter.
"I think Keaton will go out and do what Keaton does, and that's throw a lot of strikes and use that change-up effectively and pitch to both sides of the plate," Van Horn said. "His curveball is really improved. We hope he has it tomorrow."
Campbell expects McKinney to throw well today.
"I expect great things out of Keaton, another guy coming off surgery," Campbell said. "I know he's pumped to get out there. He's a veteran. He knows what it's like to be on the mound. I think he's going to do really well."