Arkansas rebounded last week with a four-game sweep of San Diego State, but the Razorbacks would still like to boost their scoring before the start of SEC action Friday.
The No. 15 Razorbacks (11-5) will get that chance with a midweek series against struggling Alabama A&M (2-15), starting tonight at 6:35.
Arkansas swept San Diego State last weekend following their four-game losing streak in Arizona, but the Hogs batted just .258 against the Aztecs, and they’re averaging only 3.0 runs per game in their past eight games.
The Razorbacks are happy to be winning again, despite the run-scoring issues.
TUESDAY'S TICKET
No. 15 Arkansas (11-5) vs. Alabama A&M (2-15)
WHEN: 6:35 p.m.
WHERE: Baum Stadium in Fayetteville
“Our first couple of games this weekend were close and we never gave up, we kept fighting,” catcher Jake Wise said Sunday. “I think that shows the toughness of this team to come back after losing four straight … and win a close game [Thursday]. We were able to pull through. We just want to continue to roll.”
Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn thought the four game winning streak helped alleviate the hurt from being stunned in Arizona.
“I think the guys, by finding a way to beat a couple really good pitchers the first two ballgames, I think it really helped our confidence,” he said. “We got after it this weekend. We knew after last weekend we needed to string together some wins and we did that.”
The Bulldogs are allowing 9.6 runs per game and scoring just 3.9 runs per game. They have been shut out three times.
Arkansas’ pitching has been essentially as dominant as expected. The Razorbacks have 10 pitchers with an ERA of 1.77 or better, including tonight’s starter, freshman left-hander Colin Poche (2-0, 0.00), who has allowed five hits and five walks in 11 1/3 innings. Poche out dueled San Diego State ace Michael Cederoth in a 2-0 victory Thursday.
Fellow Arkansas freshman Trey Killian, who is scheduled to start Saturday against Ole Miss, was named SEC freshman of the week Monday. The right-hander from Mountain Home pitched seven no-hit innings in an 8-2 victory Saturday to improve to 2-1.
Alabama A&M (2-15) has lost seven games in a row and has allowed 68 runs (9.7 per game) during that span. The Bulldogs have been swept in Southwestern Athletic Conference series by Jackson State and Alabama State the past two weekends.
Alabama A&M’s lone victories have been 7-6 over Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne on Feb. 17 and 6-4 at Lipscombon Feb. 26.
Arkansas continues to be led at the plate by freshman outfielder Tyler Spoon (.410 average, 3 HRs, 18 RBI) and sophomore infielder Brian Anderson (.321, 10 RBI).
The Razorbacks, who are hitting .279, might be in line to incorporate switch-hitting junior Dominic Ficociello (.300), who has been rehabbing an oblique muscle injury, into the lineup this week.
SHORT HOPS
Arkansas junior Jake Wise (.231 average, 1 HR, 10 RBI) was named Monday as one of 48 players on the initial watch list for the Johnny Bench Award, which is given to the nation’s top catcher.… The Razorbacks have five pitchers with at least one inning pitched who have not allowed an earned run, led by Poche (11 1/3 innings), Michael Gunn (6 innings) and Landon Simpson (4 innings).… Alabama A&M will continue its road trip after leaving Fayetteville by taking on New Mexico State in a four-game series this weekend.
Sports, Pages 17 on 03/12/2013