Razorback report: Ledbetter a bright spot in loss

Arkansas reliever Austin Ledbetter delivers to the plate Friday, March 4, 2022, during the seventh inning of the Razorbacks' 7-3 loss to Southeastern Louisiana at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE — Austin Ledbetter was Arkansas’ third freshman right hander this week to have an impressive debut when he pitched 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief Friday during a 7-3 loss to Southeastern Louisiana. 

Ledbetter, from Bryant, struck out five and did not allow a hit or a walk during his 42-pitch outing that began in the seventh inning after the Razorbacks fell behind 7-1. He hit two batters. 

“It wasn’t my best, but I was able to command my fastball and throw a couple of changeups in there for strikes and get them off balance,” Ledbetter said. 

“I was just trying to give the team a chance. We were down, so I was just trying to put up a couple of zeroes.” 

Ledbetter’s debut came two days after Brady Tygart and Nick Moten each threw one inning of scoreless relief against Nebraska-Omaha. Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn was especially impressed with the outing from Tygart, an Olive Branch, Miss., native who allowed consecutive singles on the first two pitches he threw. 

“His first two pitches in college are both hits and there’s runners at first and third before he knew what hit him,” Van Horn said on Friday’s pre-game radio show, “and it didn’t faze him. He didn’t really stagger….He got out of it with no runs. I pointed out after the game that I just really liked the way he handled it.”

Without singling out pitchers, Van Horn indicated some freshmen will have expanded roles as the season progresses. In addition to the three who debuted at home this week, true freshman left hander Hagen Smith is in the starting rotation and redshirt freshman left hander Nick Griffin debuted well last week against Louisiana-Lafayette. 

“Now we’re going to start getting some of those younger arms involved,” Van Horn said on the radio show, “and they’re going to end up being a big part of our bullpen and maybe even some starters come conference play.” 

Bohrofen breaks through

Jace Bohrofen, a sophomore outfielder who transferred from Oklahoma, doubled in the seventh and ninth innings Friday — his first two hits as a Razorback. 

Both hits came against Southeastern Louisiana relievers and were to a similar spot in right-center field. Bohrofen scored on a sacrifice fly from Cayden Wallace in the seventh inning and was stranded in the ninth when Zack Gregory and Peyton Stovall followed with consecutive strikeouts to end the game. 

“That’s one of the big positives,” Van Horn said of Bohrofen. “He hit those balls extremely hard into the wind. Their outfielders were playing almost on the warning track…and he hit two doubles over that guy’s head. That was really good to see.” 

Bohrofen’s second hit registered a 108 mph exit velocity, according to TrackMan data distributed to reporters. 

Prior to Friday, Bohofen was 0 for 16 and struck out six times. His only two base appearances through his first four starts were via a walk and a hit by pitch. The walk keyed the Razorbacks’ three-run eighth inning to defeat Louisiana-Lafayette last Sunday. 

Bohrofen finished Friday’s game 2 for 3 with a walk while hitting eighth in the batting order. Bohrofen said the performance gave him confidence moving forward. 

“It was kind of nice to get those first two hits,” Bohrofen said. 

Noland shiner

Arkansas starting pitcher Connor Noland had a baseball strike his face during the third inning of Friday’s game. 

A one-hopper off the bat of Evan Keller hit Noland beneath his right eye, in the vicinity of the cheekbone. Noland misjudged his attempt at fielding the ball with his glove. 

Arkansas trainer Corey Wood and pitching coach Matt Hobbs spent some time evaluating Noland on the mound before he finished the inning. Tyler Finke lined out to center field to strand two base runners. 

It was unclear whether Noland was evaluated further in the dugout. Zebulon Vermillion warmed up in the bullpen during the bottom of the third inning, but Noland wound up pitching into the sixth. A bruise appeared to be visible under his eye in his later innings. 

“It did swell up a little bit,” Van Horn said. 

Ramage struggles

After a great start to the season, Kole Ramage failed to retire any of the three hitters he faced during the Lions’ seven-run sixth inning. 

Ramage gave up an RBI single to Bryce Grizzaffi after he entered in relief of Noland. He followed with a five-pitch walk to Shea Thomas and a four-pitch walk to Jake Johnson with the bases loaded. 

“If you get behind in the count, you’ve got to throw a strike and just let them hit it and maybe they’ll hit into a double play,” Van Horn said. “He’s had some time to rest and should have been ready to roll, and it just didn’t happen today.” 

Ramage entered Friday’s game with a 1.86 ERA, 12 strikeouts and 2 walks in 9 2/3 innings of relief. He has three saves this season. 

Issac Bracken and Zack Morris were also shaky in relief during the sixth inning. Bracken hit a batter with the bases loaded and walked in a run, and Morris allowed a two-run single.

Hitting trouble

During his pre-game radio interview, Van Horn addressed the team’s hitting troubles to begin the season. 

“The offense got off to a slow start, but honestly it’s probably better than getting off to a great start and (beginning) to slow down around conference play,” Van Horn said. “I want our confidence high in two weeks (in the SEC-opening series against Kentucky).”

Following Friday’s game, Van Horn was disappointed with the team’s inability to move base runners. Arkansas put the leadoff hitter on base in the first, fourth and fifth innings, but failed to score a run each time. 

Van Horn said the Razorbacks could have led by as many as four runs before the Lions’ seven-run sixth. Arkansas finished the game 3 for 17 with runners on base and 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position. 

“We’ve got to string together some hits, have some better at-bats,” Van Horn said. “We’ve got some guys that strike out too much, obviously, that’s really frustrating to me. If it’s a left-handed hitter and a right-handed pitcher, there’s really no excuse for it; the ball isn’t running away from you unless it’s a changeup. 

“Hopefully we’ll get it going but right now it’s hit and miss.” 

Review helps big inning

The damage done during Southeastern Louisiana’s seven-run inning might have been reduced significantly had a replay review gone in favor of the Razorbacks. 

Grizzaffi’s one-out single against Ramage scored Rhett Rosevear from second base to put the Lions ahead 2-1. Arkansas right fielder Brady Slavens’ throw to the plate was off line, but catcher Michael Turner made a quick move to try to tag Rosevear from behind. 

Turner and Ramage signaled for Van Horn to request a review. The replay indicated Turner might have touched Rosevear’s back with his glove, but it was inconclusive and the call on the field was upheld. 

Similar scenario

Arkansas finds itself in the same situation it did two weeks ago, needing to win two games after a series-opening loss at home. 

The Razorbacks defeated Illinois State 5-1 and 4-2 following a 3-2 loss in the season opener. Arkansas won those games in consecutive days, but must beat the Lions twice Saturday to claim the series. 

The series finale was moved ahead by a day due to thunderstorms in the forecast Sunday. Rain is also possible Saturday afternoon. 

“When you lose one day, that’s not going to define the next couple of days, but tomorrow we only have one day to win two games, so it can be tough,” Bohrofen said. “I know we’re going to come out, compete and have a better mindset about it. We’re going to get after it from the first inning.”

Short hops

• Arkansas and Southeastern Louisiana had never played each other prior to Friday. 

• Peyton Stovall led off the first inning with a single to left field. It was Stovall’s first leadoff base appearance in six games this season. 

• A sizable group of Southeastern Louisiana supporters were in attendance Friday in left field, near the bullpen. Dozens of fans greeted the Lions outside their locker room following the game. 

• The Arkansas TV and radio broadcasts included fill-in announcers Friday. Nick Badders, the play-by-play voice of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, filled in on the Razorback Sports Network radio broadcast for Phil Elson, who was calling the Arkansas-South Carolina women's basketball game at the SEC Tournament in Nashville, Tenn. Steven Davis, the voice of the Arkansas Travelers, filled in on SEC Network-Plus for Brett Dolan, who is calling games this weekend at the College Classic in Houston. Davis will call both of Arkansas' games Saturday, and Badders will call the first game Saturday before Elson returns for the second game.