Bud Light Seltzer Morning Rush Podcast — Morris’ buyout, Scott Tabor and Mardi Gras Friday
Tye & Tommy on Chad Morri’s contract at Auburn, Scott Tabor talks baseball, and the weekend of sports/fun ahead!
Franklin sparks late runs to lift Hogs past Gonzaga in first game of series
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas used a two-run seventh inning to push past Gonzaga and claim game one of the four game series, 7-5, on Thursday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium.
The Razorbacks (4-0) and Bulldogs (2-3) were tied at five after battling back-and-forth for the first six innings of the game until outfielder Christian Franklin beat out a play at first base with the bases loaded to score a run and take the lead in the seventh.
After a wild pitch scored another run for the Hogs, right-handed pitchers Elijah Trest and Zebulon Vermillion tossed the final two frames of the game to secure the series-opening victory.
Seven of nine players in the Arkansas lineup recorded a hit on Thursday, with catcher Casey Opitz registering the only two-hit performance of the game.
He was one of two Razobacks with two RBIs in the contest, as he and infielder Robert Moore both recorded two-RBI doubles in back-to-back innings.
Junior right-handed pitcher Kole Ramage made the start in the series opener against Gonzaga, his first since April 30, 2019, and fifth of his career. The Southlake, Texas, native tossed 2.2 innings, allowing two runs on four hits with two strikeouts, exiting with the game tied at two.
RHP Kevin Kopps relieved Ramage, stranding two on base to get out of the third inning. He pitched a total 2.1 frames, allotting three runs on three hits, giving way to lefty Caden Monke, who came on at the start of the sixth with the score tied at five.
Monke would earn the win after going 2.0 innings, allowing one hit & a walk, while striking out three for the first victory of his career.
Vermillion picked up the save in his first outing of 2020 and his third at Arkansas.
The Hogs struck first in the bottom of the second inning thanks to the freshman Moore. A pair of singles and a walk, all with two outs, loaded the bases for Moore, who shot a first-pitch double down the left field line for his first RBIs of the year and Arkansas’ first two runs of the afternoon.
However, the Zags answered with two runs of their own in the third to tie the game after a two-run homer from Brett Harris.
It didn’t stay tied long. Arkansas responded with three scores to push the lead to 5-2.
For the second consecutive inning, Arkansas loaded the bases, this time with one out, allowing Jacob Nesbit to send an RBI groundout to the second baseman to break the tie.
Shortly after, Casey Opitz dropped a bases-clearing double in the middle of center field to increase the Hog lead to 5-2.
It was Opitz’ fifth hit in his last seven at-bats, also producing a single in the second inning.
After a triple to begin the fourth from Mason Marenco, Gonzaga got one back with an RBI groundout from Josh Bristyan to make it a 5-3 game.
In the next inning, a pair of back-to-back doubles from Ryan Sullivan and Gabriel Hughes put the Zags within one, then an RBI groundout from Jack Machtolf with the runners on the corners to tie the game at five.
In the seventh, the Hogs broke the tie, plating two to take a 7-5 lead. A walk to outfielder Heston Kjerstad quickly became a bases loaded situation thanks to a single under the glove of the first baseman from designated hitter Matt Goodheart and a walk to infielder Casey Martin.
From there, Franklin legged out a grounder to the second baseman to bring in the first run, then a wild pitch during Nesbit’s at-bat scored another to bring the score to its final resting place at 7-5.
It was the first win for Arkansas over Gonzaga since a 5-3 win on March 14, 2012, in Fayetteville.
The Hogs and Bulldogs return to action on Friday, Feb. 21, at 3 p.m., at Baum-Walker Stadium, for game two of the four-game set.
You can listen to the game on ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home or online at HitThatLine.com by CLICKING HERE
Information from Razorback Sports Communications is included in this story.
Neighbors said team expected to win Thursday night’s matchup with Lady Vols
Beating Tennessee wasn’t exactly something that shocked Arkansas coach Mike Neighbors, who said he felt the Hogs were confident in practices all week.
Ramirez, Tolefree on big nights downing Tennessee handily Thursday night
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas won its third straight game on Thursday night, beating Tennessee, 83-75.
With their nine wins in conference play this season, the Razorbacks are just one SEC win away from matching the program record with three regular season games left to play.
It is only the second time ever the Hogs have won nine or more conference games since joining the SEC back in 1991.
Redshirt junior guard Amber Ramirez put on a show against the Lady Vols, going for a season-high 29 points, just four shy of her career-best.
The sharpshooter was money all night long, going 11 of 20 from the field and five of nine from deep. Her game against the Vols was her fifth 20-plus game during the conference season, tied for the most on the squad.
Alexis Tolefree also had another big outing for Arkansas, going for 22 points and seven rebounds, leading the team on the glass once again.
Key point of game
The Hogs had the Lady Vols down by as much as 16 early in the fourth, and it looked like they may coast to their third straight win.
Tennessee didn’t back down, though, going on an 18-8 run over six minutes in the final frame to make it a six-point game with 3:59 to play.
The teams went back and forth from there, before Arkansas iced the game at the free throw line.
The Lady Vols cut it closer with 15 seconds to play, as the Hogs held a narrow 79-75 lead, but Ramirez and Tolefree, along with a key defensive stop, buried Tennessee late, as the duo went a perfect four for four from the free throw line to keep this one just out of reach.
Hogs highlights
• Arkansas’ defense was active against the Lady Vols, forcing 23 turnovers, the most since the Hogs forced 26 against UT Martin (12/29/19).
• Ramirez had a team-high three steals to go along with her team-high 29 points.
• Tolefree recorded her fifth game this season with seven or more rebounds.
• Chelsea Dungee stuffed the stat sheet, going for 16 points, three assists, two steals, and two rebounds.
• Dungee was also seven of nine from the free throw line.
• A’Tyanna Gaulden once again led the Hogs in helpers, dishing four assists.
Next game
The Razorbacks head to Gainesville for a rematch with the Gators on Sunday. That game is set to tip at 3 p.m. CT and will air on the SEC Network.
Harper on Tennessee not able to overcome turnovers in loss to Razorbacks
Lady Vols coach Kellie Harper didn’t feel the fast pace by Arkansas was as much of a factor as her team’s turnovers (23) in 83-75 loss Thursday night.
Van Horn on variety of pitchers, wind in 7-5 win to open series with Gonzaga
Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn talked about using a variety of pitchers and the nuances of battling a stiff breeze at Baum-Walker Stafium to down Gonzaga on Thursday afternoon.
Moore, Monke, Opitz recapping Hogs’ win over Bulldogs to open series
Arkansas players Robert Moore, catcher Casey Opitz and pitcher Caden Monke talked after the game, including Opitz’ towering shot that was misplayed in the outfield for a hit.
Hogs’ series with Gonzaga starts this afternoon live on ESPN Arkansas
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas returns to action with a four-game series against Gonzaga at Baum-Walker Stadium and you can hear it live at ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs or 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
You can also listen online at HitThatLine.com. CLICK HERE
The pregame show starts at 1:30 p.m. with first pitch at 2 p.m.
It will be the first time the Razorbacks have played the Bulldogs since 2016. Arkansas has never played Gonzaga in a three-game series, let alone a four-game set.
The Bulldogs hold a 5-3 advantage in the all-time series, with a 3-2 mark in games played in Fayetteville.
Arkansas is coming off a three-game sweep of Eastern Illinois to open the 2020 season. The Hogs outscored the Panthers, 27-5, in the three games, picking up victories of 5-1, 10-1 and 12-3 for a strong start to the new year.
Arkansas put together a .324 clip at the plate in the opening series, tallying 35 hits, 15 for extra bases.
The Razorbacks struck out EIU 31 times en route to a 1.33 team ERA and a .206 opponent batting average over the three games, allowing only three extra-base hits.
The Razorbacks have now won their last 19 opening weekend series dating back to 2002, including all 18 seasons under Dave Van Horn.
Arkansas has never lost opening day under Van Horn, outscoring opponents 148-42.
Van Horn has tabbed right-hander Kole Ramage, right-hander Connor Noland and lefty Patrick Wicklander to start the first three games of the series against Gonzaga. Sunday’s starter is to be announced.
Ramage entered Sunday’s game as the first reliever and tossed 2.0 scoreless frames against the Panthers. He allowed just one hit and one walk, striking out two, to earn his first win of the year and ninth of his collegiate career.
Noland earned the opening day win after tossing 6.2 innings on Friday afternoon. He allowed just one run, unearned, on two hits, walking one batter while striking out a career-high 11. Half of the batters he faced, he struck out.
Wicklander tossed 5.0 innings of shutout ball, allowing three hits, two walks and a hit batter, ringing up seven Panthers. He held EIU to a .167 clip at the plate and did not allow an extra-base hit. He was one strikeout shy of matching his career-best, picking up the game two victory.
Pitching matchups
Thursday – RHP Kole Ramage vs. LHP Keaton Kneuppel
Friday – RHP Connor Noland vs. LHP Mac Lardner
Saturday – LHP Patrick Wicklander vs. RHP Alek Jacob
Sunday – TBA vs. RHP Nick Trogrlic-Iverson
Noland’s performance on the mound on opening day earned him SEC Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 17.
It was his first pitcher of the week honor and second weekly accolade from the conference office, picking up newcomer of the week during the middle of his freshman season.
He wasn’t the only Hog to earn hardware after the first series of the year, as Heston Kjerstad was also named SEC Co-Player of the Week and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper National Player of the Week. It was the first time Arkansas has won SEC Player and Pitcher of the Week in the same week.
Outfielder Heston Kjerstad had quite the weekend at the plate, going 7-for-12 with four homers, 10 RBIs and six runs scored, earning national player of the week honors from Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.
He began the year with a 3-for-4 performance, including an RBI single and two solo home runs. It was the fifth time in his career he had hit multiple homers in a game.
Kjerstad would accomplish the feat again in the series finale as part of a 3-for-5 day, launching a three-run dinger and a solo hot, as well as a two-RBI double. All seven hits brought in at least one run during the weekend against the Panthers.
Kjerstad finished the series with a .583/1.667/.643 line at the plate in 12 at-bats. He is the first Hog since at least 2002 to record four home runs in the first series of the year.
Arkansas did not move in any of the updated polls after the first week of the year.
Week 2 rankings
Perfect Game – No. 4
USA Today Coaches – No. 5
NCBWA – No. 6
D1 Baseball – No. 7
Collegiate Baseball – No. 9
Baseball America – No. 11
A total of 29,118 fans came to see the Hogs play last week, which was the second-highest opening weekend attendance in Arkansas history and was No. 2 in total attendance in the country for the first series of the 2020 season.
Bud Light Seltzer Morning Rush Podcast — The new proposed transfer rule, Richard Davenport and more!
Tye & Tommy on the transfer rule impact, Richard Davenport talks recruiting Thursday and more!
