Razorback players first baseman Trevor Ezell, pitcher Connor Noland and designated hitter Jordan McFarland recapped the pair of wins against Easter Illinois on Saturday.
Razorbacks’ big innings lead to pair of wins in opening-day doubleheader
FAYETTEVILLE — Waiting one extra day to start the 2019 season didn’t seem to bother 12th-ranked Arkansas on Saturday at Baum-Walker Stadium.
The Razorbacks picked up a pair of wins behind a strong offensive showing, winning 15-7 in game one and 12-3 in game two.
Each starting position player recorded at least one hit in both games of the doubleheader. Sophomore infielder Casey Martin led all Razorback hitters combining for five hits on the day, three coming in game one win.
Graduate senior Trevor Ezell and redshirt freshman Jacob Nesbit, who were both making their Razorback debuts, each added four hits combined of their own over the two-game stretch.
Coach Dave Van Horn opened his 17th season as the Razorback skipper with his 17th-straight Opening Day win and it was the second-largest Opening Day win in the last five seasons.
It was also the 25th-straight season-opening win for the Razorbacks dating back to 1995 under former head coach Norm DeBriyn.
On the pitching side, redshirt junior Isaiah Campbell and freshman Connor Noland made their first starts of the year.
Campbell was solid through five innings, but gave up three earned runs in his final inning of work. The Kansas-native still struck out five and never issued a walk.
Noland, who was making his Razorback debut, nearly completed five innings after striking out a team-high seven batters, but Eastern Illinois loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth, forcing Van Horn to go to the bullpen. Noland still didn’t give up an earned run and only allowed one walk.
Game 1 | Arkansas 15, Eastern Illinois 7 (Box Score)
Not only did Martin have a great day at the plate in the first game of the day, but so did Ezell. The Bryant, Arkansas native went 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs and three runs scored, including hitting Arkansas’ first home run of the year into the right field bullpen.
It was one of four home runs hit in the game as Heston Kjerstad, Jack Kenley and Christian Franklin also went deep. The four home runs is the most in the first game of the season for any Dave Van Horn-led team dating back to 2002.
The big inning came in the fourth as Arkansas chased EIU starter Tyler Jones with an eight-run frame. Franklin’s three-run opposite field home run got the rally going and it was followed by the two-run home run of Kjerstad that was estimated at 392 feet. The home run was Kjerstad’s only hit in the game.
Catcher Casey Opitz had a good day at the plate also, as he got the start behind the dish. The sophomore went 2-for-3 with a career-high three RBIs, as well as two runs scored.
Amidst the 18-hit barrage that Arkansas had in game one, the offense also did not strike out once in 46 batters. It’s the first time since Feb. 28, 2010, a 7-6 victory over Troy, that an Arkansas team did not strike out in a game.
Game 2 | Arkansas 12, Eastern Illinois 3 (Box Score)
Five different players recorded two or more hits in game two, including Martin, Nesbit, Dominic Fletcher, Jordan McFarland, Zack Plunkett.
McFarland, who got the call as the designated hitter, went 2-for-4 with a team-high three RBIs and a stolen base. His two-RBI single in the eighth was part of a six-run frame that ballooned a three-run Arkansas lead to a nine-run Arkansas lead.
In that inning, the Razorbacks not only batted around for the second time in the day, but all six runs were brought in by singles or a fielder’s choice. Plunkett had the lone extra-base hit in the inning, a double, but couldn’t bring anyone around to score at the time.
On the pitching side, Noland looked great, allowing only one hit and one walk in the first three innings. He ran into a little trouble in the fourth, but got the benefit of a double play. In the fifth, it was errors in the defense that allowed the bases to jam up with only one out. Noland did get a strikeout of Alex Stevenson and looked to be willing to finish the inning, but Van Horn decided to go to the bullpen and bring in Ramage, who got the final out and pitched the next two innings scoreless.
Ramage ended up with the victory, his first of the year. Zebulon Vermillion and Marshall Denton finished off the final two innings, allowing only one hit and striking out one in the final eight batters.
Up Next
Arkansas and Eastern Illinois will finish off its series tomorrow with a 1 p.m. first pitch at Baum-Walker Stadium.
The game will be televised online on SEC Network+ via the Watch ESPN app and WatchESPN.com.
Van Horn on Razorbacks’ opening doubleheader sweep Saturday
Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn after the second win of the day over Eastern Illinois, 12-3, to complete winning a pair of games to open the new season.
Razorbacks get 8-2 win over Sacramento State in final game in Puerto Vallarta
PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO — Arkansas is back in its groove, posting an 8-2 win over Sacramento State on Saturday in the Hogs’ final game of the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.
Katie Warrick recorded her second home run of the season, while Mary Haff secured the win from the circle and Autumn Storms’ fifth-inning relief is good for her fifth career save.
Up Next
Arkansas will return to Fayetteville to host Southeast Missouri State on Thursday (Feb. 21) for its home opener and the start of the Razorback Invitational.
The Hogs will also face SIU-Edwardsville, Drake, and IUPUI during the invitational.
All-Tournament Team
Storms and sophomore Kayla Green earned spots on the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge All-Tournament Team after two stellar performances over the course of the Razorbacks’ four games in Mexico.
Storms recorded a shutout win and a save, while giving up no earned runs and picking up 18 strikeouts. Green finished with a .556 average at the plate, recording her first home run of the season against Northern Colorado. Green rattled off back-to-back multi-hit games against Washington and UNC as well.
How It Happened
After a scoreless first inning, the Hogs got to work in the second, taking advantage of a Hornet error and a walk to load the bases with Warrick, Green, and Ashley Diaz.
Freshman Maggie Hicks would follow with a hit-by-pitch call to score Warrick and give Arkansas a one-run lead.
Sacramento State responded in the bottom of the third inning, scoring two on a single up the middle. The hit would give the Hornets the lead, but not for long.
The Hogs bounced back in the fourth, using the quick feet of Carley Haizlip, Haydi Bugarin, and Hicks to score three runs, all a result of errors by the Sacramento State defense. Haizlip entered to pinch run for Arkansas after Green reached on a lead-off walk, followed by a base-hit by Hicks and a fielder’s choice by Bugarin.
In the fifth inning, the Razorbacks tacked on another run to give the Hogs a 5-2 lead. After Warrick fired off a line drive down the right-field line for a double, Keely Edwards would enter to pinch run. Edwards would cross the plate only two batters later, as Hicks put the ball in play and reached on another Hornet error, giving Edwards the chance to score.
The final runs of the game came in the sixth inning for Arkansas, starting with Hannah McEwen, who earned her first hit of the game with a single through the right side. McEwen would make her way around to third base with a pass ball and wild pitch.
In steps Warrick to absolutely unload on a 1-1 pitch and send it out far over the left-field fence, giving the Razorbacks a comfy 7-2 lead. With the bases cleared, Diaz followed with a single to left field, she wasn’t on first base long before Green stepped in and delivered a double to left-center, sending Diaz in for the Hogs’ eighth and final run of the game.
Haff pitched a complete four innings for the win and Storms relieved Haff at the start of the fifth inning — the power duo helped propel Arkansas to its first ever win over Sacramento State. Together, they accounted for nine strikeouts and allowed only four hits.
Campbell recapping win in Razorbacks’ season opener Saturday
Arkansas pitcher Isaiah Campbell got the win in the 15-7 win over Eastern Illinois in the first game of the opening doubleheader as he worked five innings, giving up three runs in the last frame.
Razorback post season high, but still fall in meet at Auburn on Friday
AUBURN, Ala. — The Arkansas gymnastics team fell to Auburn inside Auburn Arena on Friday evening 197.100-196.175.
Junior Michaela Burton scored a 9.950 on the beam, tying a career high and the second-highest score on the event in program history.
The team score was a season high for the Razorbacks.
First Rotation: Auburn Vault: 49.325, Auburn Vault: 49.325
Arkansas started the first rotation off strong with a 9.800 from junior Jessica Yamzon. It was the first of four scores of 9.800 or higher as freshman Kennedy Hambrick scored a 9.800 in the three spot. Junior Hailey Garner and sophomore Sarah Shaffer each posted 9.875’s, but Arkansas was forced to count a fall in the first rotation.
Second Rotation: Auburn Bars: 49.600, Arkansas Vault: 49.050
Arkansas again put up a 49 on vault with a 49.050 in the second rotation that ended with four-consecutive scores of 9.825 or higher. Shaffer put up a 9.875 in the three spot, including a perfect 9.95 from one judge. That was followed up with a pair 9.850’s from Hambrick and senior Sydney McGlone. Freshman Amanda Elswick anchored the rotation with a 9.825 of her own.
Third Rotation: Arkansas Floor: 49.250, Auburn Beam: 49.000
Yamzon again led off the rotation with a 9.800 for the second time Friday night. The score was followed up with a 9.775 from Hambrick. Elswick made her debut on the event with a 9.800. Mcglone and Shaffer followed that up with a pair of 9.875’s before sophomore Sophia Carter recorded her fifth score of 9.900 or higher with a 9.900 as Arkansas’ anchor. The score marks the third time this season that Arkansas has posted a 49.250 or higher on the floor.
Fourth Rotation: Arkansas Beam: 49.250, Auburn Floor: 49.175
Arkansas returned to form on the balance beam, with all six scores totaling 9.800 or higher. Yamzon led off the rotation with another 9.800, her third of the night as the junior posted a 39.050 in the all-around. The score was followed with another 9.800 from Hambrick, as she recorded a 39.225 on all four events. In the third spot, Elswick put up a career high 9.850. Carter put up a 9.850 in the fourth position, as freshman Katarina Derrick put up a career high total of 9.800.
Junior Michaela Burton scored a 9.950 to wrap up the meet for Arkansas as the Razorbacks put up a season high 196.175 despite counting a fall.
UP NEXT
Arkansas returns home next Friday to host the fifth-ranked Fighting Tigers of LSU inside Barnhill Arena. The meet is slated to begin at 7:15 p.m. and will be televised live on the SEC Network.
Razorbacks’ bats bounce back with big shuout win over Northern Colorado
PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO — Arkansas softball wasted no time recovering from a tough, 3-2 walk-off loss to No. 5 Washington last night, as they fired up the bats against Northern Colorado for an 11-0 win.
Up Next
The Razorbacks will close out their time in Mexico with a Saturday afternoon game against Sacramento State, first pitch is slated for 3 p.m.
Arkansas will return to Fayetteville to host Southeast Missouri State on Thursday for its home opener and the start of the Razorback Invitational.
How It Happened
Autumn Storms pitched her third complete game of the season, earning her fourth win and first shutout of the season. Storms’ shutout win gives her an impressive 0.56 overall earned run average.
The Hogs recorded a season-best 15 hits in the victory, as four Razorbacks recorded multi-hit games: Danielle Gibson, Kayla Green, Nicole Duncan and Sydney Parr.
Ten different Razorbacks earned hits in the win, while eight recorded RBI. Green, Parr, and Sydney Benz each batted in two runs apiece.
In the second inning, Maggie Hicks would be the first Hog across the plate. Hannah McEwen started the third inning scoring on a single by Ashley Diaz. Following Diaz was Green, who sent her first home run of the 2019 season over the centerfield wall.
Riding a 4-0 lead into the fourth inning, the Razorbacks would bat around the order, scoring seven runs on six hits.
Haydi Bugarin was the first on base, reaching first on a hit-by-pitch call. Duncan soared a double into right-center field that put both Hogs in scoring position.
Four straight RBI would follow, off the bats of Parr, McEwen, Gibson and Katie Warrick, giving the Razorbacks an 8-0 lead with only one out on the board.
Northern Colorado would call for a pitching change, but the Hogs kept firing away, stacking on three more runs with back-to-back doubles from pinch-hitters, Benz and Linnie Malkin.
Arkansas moves to 7-1 on the season, and 5-1 all-time against Northern Colorado.
Hogs host Mississippi State on Saturday in first of four straight Saturday games
Who: Mississippi State Bulldogs
What: Arkansas will play at home on each of the next four Saturdays
When: Saturday – Feb. 16, 2019 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Bud Walton Arena
How (to follow):
– TV: SEC Network (Richard Cross and Daymeon Fishback)
– Watch ESPN/SEC Network Online
– Radio: ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home (Chuck Barrett and Matt Zimmerman)
– Satellite Radio: Arkansas Broadcast – Sirius (105), XM (191), Internet (962)
– Live Stats: Arkansas.StatBroadcast.com
FAYETTEVILLE — With seven regular-season games left, four will be played at Bud Walton — all on Saturdays — starting Saturday when Arkansas hosts Mississippi State.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 pm and the game will be telecast on the SEC Network.
This will be the 62nd meeting between Arkansas and Mississippi State. The Razorbacks own a 33-28 advantage in the series, including a 28-24 mark since Arkansas joined the SEC in 1992 and a 21-16 record in games played in Fayetteville.
Mississippi State has won three straight in the series, but the Razorbacks have won five of the last eight.
Last season, the Bulldogs won a hard-fought game, 78-75, in Starkville. The game was close throughout with Mississippi State pulling out the win last after brothers Nick and Quinndary Weatherspoon hit back-to-back 3-pointers late in the game.
• Arkansas will close the regular season by playing four home Saturday games. Arkansas is an impressive 25-6 in Saturday SEC home games under head coach Mike Anderson, winning nine of his last 10.
• The Razorbacks are one of two teams in the league to finish .500 or better in SEC play each of the last six years.
• Daniel Gafford ranks fourth in the NCAA in field goal percentage (.672) and is the only player in the SEC to rank among the top 10 in field goal percentage (1st; .672), scoring (4th, 16.9 avg.), rebounding (2nd; 8.7 avg.), blocked shots (5th, 1.92 avg.), offensive rebounds (4th; 2.75 avg.) and defensive rebounds (2nd; 5.96 avg.).
• Arkansas has committed 26 turnovers over its last two games. The Razorbacks are second in the SEC in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.2) and third in the league in turnover margin (+3.0)
• Isaiah Joe made four 3-pointers at Missouri to give him 86 for the season as he surpassed Rotnei Clarke and became the school’s record holder for 3-pointers made in a season. Clarke made 83 in his rookie campaign in 2009.
• Jalen Harris had 10 assists and just one turnover at Missouri. He has had double-digit assist efforts four times this season and had 12 games with one or fewer turnovers.
Razorbacks have big road test in Kentucky after long break
FAYETTEVILLE — A week’s break from competition ends for Arkansas women’s basketball team with a trip to No. 17 Kentucky for a Sunday match-up in Lexington.
In The Lane
Date: Sunday, Feb. 17
Time: 1 p.m. CT
Listen: http://bit.ly/2DuiSm6
Broadcast: SECN+ (http://bit.ly/Ark-Ky)
Live Scoring: http://bit.ly/2EamWIl
The Razorbacks (16-9, 5-6 SEC) are looking to get back into the win column as the season winds down but they face an uphill battle in Southeastern Conference action.
The Wildcats (20-5, 7-4 SEC) are 13-2 at home this season and a currently in fifth place in the league standings — hoping to move up into one of the top four spots to earn a double-bye in the conference tournament.
Arkansas has been on a steady climb over the last two seasons under the direction of head coach Mike Neighbors. The Razorbacks already have more overall and SEC wins that in the last two seasons and are ahead of Neighbors’ rebuilding schedule.
That improvement has been made possible by the blending of current players with the influx of new shooters on the team – the most noticeable of which is redshirt sophomore Chelsea Dungee.
Dungee has been both solid and flashy in her first season on the court with the Razorbacks. She has averaged double figures for the entire season and has posted double-digit point totals in 22 of Arkansas’ 25 games.
If that wasn’t impressive enough, the Oklahoma native has scored 20 or more points 12 times, 30 or more points twice and set a program record in an SEC game with a 41-point effort against Auburn last week.
But Dungee doesn’t have to do it alone. Seniors Malica Monk, Bailey Zimmerman and Raven Northcross-Baker are also big keys to the team’s success. Monk also averages double figures and has scored in double figures in 19 games this year.
More impressive is her ability to handle the ball. The North Little Rock native has played over 700 minutes and turns the ball over just 1.8 times per game ranking among the SEC and NCAA Division 1 leaders.
The clock is ticking on the season with just five regular season games remaining. Arkansas has back-to-back road contests first at Kentucky followed by a rematch at Georgia.
The Razorbacks host Ole Miss on Feb. 24, and Missouri on Feb. 28 and travel to Texas A&M on March 3 before beginning postseason play.
???? Friday Halftime Pod — featuring SEC Network’s Ben McDonald
Phil Elson & Tye Richardson discuss the opening day that never was, interview Ben McDonald, and more!
Former Razorbacks guard Beck named as SEC Basketball Legend by league
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas guard Corey Beck has been named a 2019 Allstate SEC Basketball Legend, as announced by the league office on Friday.
The 21st annual SEC Basketball Legends class will be honored at the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament (March 13-17) at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
Each legend will be recognized at halftime of his institution’s first game at the tournament.
Beck had a double-double — scoring 15 points and getting 10 rebounds — in the 76-72 victory over Duke to secure the 1994 NCAA Championship.
The Memphis native would also be named to the 1994 NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team. While Corliss Williamson and Scotty Thurman garnered most of the attention, Beck was described as the “blue-collar leader” of that squad.
Beck, who played from 1993-95, was a 1995 All-SEC selection as he drained 49 percent of his 3-point shots, second on the school’s single-season list, while handing out 207 assists, which ranks third. Both of those totals are additionally records by a Razorback for a senior season.
For his career, Beck had 483 assists, third on the Arkansas all-time list as he led the team in the category in each of his three years with Razorbacks. In SEC games only, Beck made 54 percent of his shots for his career, which ranks second on the school’s all-time list.
Beck went on to play in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers.
2019 Allstate® SEC Basketball Legends
ALABAMA – Erwin Dudley; 2000-03
ARKANSAS – Corey Beck; 1992-95
AUBURN – Mike Mitchell; 1975-78
FLORIDA – Livingston Chatman; 1987-91
GEORGIA – Jumaine Jones; 1997-99
KENTUCKY – Johnny Cox; 1957-59
LSU – Wayde Sims; 2016-18
OLE MISS – Justin Reed; 2001-04
MISSISSIPPI STATE – Lawrence Roberts; 2003-05
MISSOURI – Melvin Booker; 1991-94
SOUTH CAROLINA – Carlos Powell; 2001-05
TENNESSEE – Mike Jackson; 1973-77
TEXAS A&M – Antoine Wright; 2002-05
VANDERBILT – Derrick Byars; 2005-07
