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Arkansas sweeps two events on second day at ‘McDonnell’

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Top-ranked Arkansas weathered the wind and isolated rain to sweep two events on the first day on the track at the John McDonnell Invitational.

“Today was a sprint day,” said coach Lance Harter.

“With those tailwinds, you’re going to be a benefactor. Obviously, they’re not going to count because they all exceeded the maximum allowable wind, but the effort was there. [Jada] Baylark had a big breakthrough in the 200-meters. Being as fast of a 100-meter runner as she is, she was ready to run a good 200-meters. It’s too bad it was just a hair over the allowable wind.

“Janeek Brown had a full day as well with the relay, the 100-meters, and the 100-meter hurdles. So all-in-all, they did a good job and we’ll see what the distance runners are able to do tomorrow.”

Arkansas posted a 1-2-3 sweep in two events Friday afternoon, the women’s 100-meters and the women’s pole vault.

In the 100-meters, Jada Baylark checked off step one of her sprint sweep Friday afternoon. Baylark ran a windy 11.02 (+5.8) that would’ve shattered the school record had it been legal.

Teammates Kiara Parker (11.14/+5.8) and Janeek Brown (11.19/+5.8) helped complete the sweep of the event for Arkansas. Tamara Kuykendall was also in the field clocking a time of 11.44 seconds in the event.

Over to the pole vault, Lexi Jacobus, Victoria Hoggard and Rylee Robinson provided the sweep with marks of 4.27m (14’-0”), 4.27m (14’-0”), and 4.17m (13’-8.25”), respectively.

Arkansas had four additional athletes in the competition as Elizabeth Ramos-Mata (3.92m/12’-10.25”), Morgan Hartsell (3.77m/12’-4.50”), Madeline Telford (3.57m/11’-8.50”), and Genna Potter (3.37m/11’-0.75”) finished sixth, eighth, 13th, and 17th.

Janeek Brown was the top-finisher in the 100-meter hurdles running a wind-legal 13.01 (+3.5) seconds that will count towards a regional qualifying time.

Baylark returned to the track for the 200-meters completing the sprint sweep as she blazed the track to the tune of 22.91 (+5.0) seconds.

Baylark led the way for teammates Kiara Parker (23.34), Tamara Kuykendall (23.89), and Sydney Davis (24.23) who finished second, seventh, and 13th, respectively.

Riley Hoogerwerf was the lone competitor for the Razorbacks in the women’s discus finishing with a best throw of 36.65m (120’-3”) to finish seventh.

Tess Iler was the top finisher for the Razorbacks in the 800-meters running 2:20.53 posting a top-10 finish.

Friday Results
John McDonnell Invitational

100-meters
1. J. Baylark- 11.02
2. K. Parker- 11.14
3. J. Brown- 11.19
6. T. Kuykendall- 11.44

200-meters
1. J. Baylark- 22.91
2. K. Parker- 23.34
7. T. Kuykendall- 23.89
13. S. Davis- 24.23

100-meter hurdles
1. J. Brown- 13.01

800-meters
6. T. Iler- 2:20.53

Discus
7. R. Hoogerwerf- 36.65m (120’-3”)

Pole Vault
1. Lexi Jacobus – 4.27m (14’-0”)
2. Victoria Hoggard – 4.27m (14’-0”)
3. Rylee Robinson – 4.17m (13’-8.25”)
6. Elizabeth Ramos-Mata 3.92m (12’-10.25”)
8. Morgan Hartsell – 3.77m (12’-4.50”)
13. Madeline Telford – 3.57m (11’-8.50”)
17. Genna Potter – 3.37m (11’-0.75”)

Storms force Hogs, South Carolina to play two Saturday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Due to heavy rain and thunderstorms in the Northwest Arkansas area on Friday, game two of the three-game series between Arkansas and South Carolina will be moved to Saturday and be part of a doubleheader starting at noon at Baum Stadium.

Both games will be seven innings and the second game will start approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.

Fans should use Saturday’s ticket to gain admission to both games of the doubleheader. All game tickets to Friday’s contest are null and void, but single-game Friday tickets may be exchanged for any future 2018 regular season games, as well as Saturday’s doubleheader, by visiting the Razorback Ticket Center at Baum Stadium, subject to availability.

Season tickets, including those for suites, for Friday, are not valid and may not be exchanged.

Both games tomorrow will be broadcast on SEC Network+ with Brett Dolan and Troy Eklund on the call.

All games can still be heard on the radio via the Razorback Sports Network with Phil Elson and former Razorback Bubba Carpenter calling all the action.

MORNING RUSH BUD LIGHT PODCAST

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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MORNING RUSH BUD LIGHT PODCAST

Hogs wrap up regular season on Senior Day on Sunday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas looks to close out the regular season Sunday, hosting Ole Miss at 1 p.m. at the Billingsley Tennis Center.

Sunday is also Senior Day for the Razorbacks, as Arkansas will honor its lone senior in Jose Salazar. The No. 25 singles player in the country, Salazar enters his final home match with a 16-6 mark this spring, including a 7-4 record against ranked competition.

The Tenerife, Spain, native has won seven of his last eight matches entering Sunday, including five of the last six against ranked opponents, with wins over the No. 4 and the No. 8 players in the country.

Arkansas (12-13, 3-8 SEC) is looking to get back to .500 this season, as the Razorbacks head into postseason action.

The Razorbacks look to win its fourth ever match over the Rebels, as Ole Miss has won 29 of the 32 previous meetings.

Last time out, Arkansas dropped its finals two road matches of the season, falling to No. 7 Mississippi State 6-1, before losing to Auburn 4-3.

Despite the tough week on the road, Arkansas has won three of its last five matches, defeating Alabama the weekend before 4-3, before taking both matches against Nebraska-Omaha 5-0, 4-0 in a doubleheader.

Senior Day Promotions
• Free popcorn and Pepsi products.
• First 50 kids receive a free tennis t-shirt.
• Kids can enter to win a $50 Hog Heaven gift card.
• Students can enter to win one of three $100 Visa gift cards courtesy of ASG.
• All fans can enter to win a Beats Pill speaker.

Gragg leaving Razorbacks as graduate transfer

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas’ tight end pool got one person lighter Friday morning.

Will Gragg informed media outlets via text and other means of his decision.

“It’s time,” Gragg said. “This is something we’ve been talking about for a little while now, but I wanted to get my degree and I’m leaving with that, so it’s time.”

Gragg caught five passes for 61 yards as a sophomore in 2017, has his degree and will have two years remaining at his next destination.

He was given his release to begin talking with other programs earlier Friday morning.

Gragg came to Arkansas as a heavily-recruited prospect in the Class of 2015. The Dumas graduate became the nation’s No. 4 tight end and turned down offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, USC and dozens of others when choosing to stay home and play for the Hogs.

Gragg redshirted in 2015. He did not record any statistics in 2016 but started to come on in the second half of the 2017 season, recording three receptions for 47 yards against LSU on November 11.

Early in his career with the Hogs, Gragg played behind a Mackey Award winner in Hunter Henry and another current pro tight end in Jeremy Sprinkle.

Gragg is the younger brother of former Razorback and current NFL tight end Chris Gragg.

Even with Gragg’s departure, Arkansas still has a deep group of tight ends entering the 2018 season as Cheyenne O’Grady, Jeremy Patton, Austin Cantrell and Grayson Gunter return as scholarship players.

He leaves with no regrets.

“I will graduate on May 12th and would have two years to play somewhere else, so I just want to get in a new environment, get a new opportunity and see some new scenery,” Gragg said. “We are pretty deep in tight ends here. I definitely was not injured last week.

“I have nothing to say bad about my time here. I love Fayetteville, it’s the best place I have ever lived and the fans were so loyal and supportive to me even when I wasn’t getting to play. I will always remember that and thank them all. I am very appreciative of everyone who was there for me.”

Gragg does not have any idea where he might end up.

“I am truly wide open,” Gragg said. “I just made the decision and now I will look to see what is out there and which place might be best for me.”

Razorbacks fall to Gamecocks in series opener Thursday night

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — A windy day at Baum Stadium kept the runs at a minimum Thursday night between second-ranked Arkansas and South Carolina.

Hits, however, were plentiful.

But, even though Arkansas outhit South Carolina, 13-12, it left 12 runners on base, including four bases-loaded situations in a 3-2 loss.

It’s the first series-opening loss the Hogs have suffered this year as starting pitcher Blaine Knight had his shortest outing of the year, going four innings on 70 pitches with only one run allowed on six hits.

The loss drops the Razorbacks to 25-10 overall and 8-5 in conference play.

The loss is just the third suffered by the Razorbacks at home this year as they fall to 19-3 in games played at Baum Stadium.

It’s also been a string of close games as the last three games played by Arkansas have been decided by one run. The Hogs are now 7-6 on the year in one-run games.

South Carolina’s Carlos Cortes hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the fifth inning off reliever Barrett Loseke to give the Gamecocks the 3-2 lead.

However, the Hogs left the bases loaded twice in the bottom of the fifth and seventh innings as they couldn’t drive in the tying run.

Seven different Razorbacks recorded at least one hit with four collecting two or more. Junior Eric Cole led all Hog hitters going 3-for-5 with three singles and one run scored.

It’s his seventh game this season with three or more hits, leading all Arkansas players. Sophomore Dominic Fletcher added three hits also, his second-straight three-hit game, while freshmen Casey Martin and Heston Kjerstad both went 2-for-5.

Fletcher’s single in the second inning extended his hitting streak to six games, the longest active streak on the team.

Dating back to April 4 against ULM, Fletcher is hitting .545 (12-for-22) during his streak with three three-hit games and six runs scored.

Even though Knight didn’t have his strongest outing, the Razorback bullpen did well to keep it a one-run game from the fifth inning on. Evan Lee and Cody Scroggins combined for 2.2 scoreless innings with just three hits allowed.

They also got some help in the field as a seventh-inning relay throw from Carson Shaddy prevented South Carolina from adding an insurance run.

Shaddy received a good throw from the right-field wall from Cole and Shaddy turned and caught Cortes trying to score from first, beating him with his throw by about three feet.

Razorback Quotables

“I thought we played fairly good defense. They didn’t cost us anything. We just didn’t come through on offense.” — Coach Dave Van Horn on the defense not committing an error even with strong winds

“I think we’ll respond fine. We’re pretty resilient. We’ve got an older team that knows you’re going to get beat every now and then. I think we’ll come back tomorrow with a little energy and have better results.” — Van Horn on bouncing back after a loss

“It’s always going to be frustrating, but that’s baseball. It’s the hardest sport there is. Grant (Koch) comes through for us nine times out of ten. Everyone else comes through for us nine times out of ten. Tonight just wasn’t the night for us. I’m going to have all the faith in the world in Grant and everyone else.” — Eric Cole on the frustration of leaving a lot of runners on base

Up Next

Arkansas and South Carolina will meet again on Friday for game two of the three-game series.

First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. at Baum Stadium. The game can be seen online on SEC Network+.

Van Horn on missed chances against Gamecocks

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas lost the first opening game of a series all year Thursday night in a 3-2 loss to South Carolina and Dave Van Horn talked about missed opportunities.

Cole, Koch on not getting runners home in opening loss

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas rightfielder Eric Cole and catcher Grant Koch talked after the 3-2 loss to South Carolina about the missed chances the Hogs had.

Moore highlights first day of John McDonnel Invitational

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Gabe Moore led the way for the Razorbacks on the opening day of the John McDonnell Invitational setting a day one personal best with a total score of 3,991-points through five events in the men’s decathlon.

“I was really pleased,” said assistant coach Travis Geopfert. “The objective is to come out here and get a qualifying decathlon score. There are a couple little injuries that Gabe’s dealing with but he’s managing them really well by going out here and flat out getting it done,” Geopfert continued.

The day one personal best for the Freeport, Fla., native came to fruition with individual marks of 10.73 seconds in the 100-meters, 7.14m (23’-5.25”) in the long jump, 14.45m (47’-5”) in the shot put, 1.87m (6’-1.50”) in the high jump and a time of 50.79 in the 400-meters to cap day one action.

Moore’s point total through five events is 3,991-points, 756-points ahead of second place Mace Metcalf of Oklahoma State.

“I was just trying to take it one event at a time,” said Moore. “Shot put was a PR, the 100-meters was a PR under all-conditions, I was a little concerned about high jump with my foot and all, but I cleared a couple bars and shut it down.

“The wind has been ridiculous today, so coming out and running 50.78 wasn’t too shabby. It’s a day one PR despite me not having the best day I could possibly have, but I’m happy with it and I’m on pace to post a qualifying mark for nationals which is the goal. I’m just going to try to stay healthy and finish it off tomorrow,” Moore said.

Thursday Results
John McDonnell Invitational

Decathlon 100-meters
1. Harrison Schrage – 10.40
2. Gabe Moore – 10.73
4. Trae Carey – 10.96

Decathlon Long Jump
1. Harrison Schrage – 7.94m (26’-0.75”)
2. Gabe Moore – 7.14m (23’-5.25”)
4. Trae Carey – 6.68m (21’-11”)

Decathlon Shot Put
1. Gabe Moore – 14.45m (47’-5”)
5. Harrison Schrage – 10.74m (35’-3”)

Decathlon High Jump
1. Gabe Moore – 1.87m (6’-1.50”)

Decathlon 400-meters
1. Gabe Moore – 50.79

No. 3 Razorbacks travel to Liz Murphey Intercollegiate tournament

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Third-ranked Arkansas tees it up for the final regular season event traveling to the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic in Athens, Georgia, on, April 13-14.

The event has been on the Razorbacks’ schedule since the first year of the program in 1996 and is one that has a personal connection for Arkansas head coach Shauna Taylor as she returns to her alma mater for the competition.

Inside The Ropes
Date: April 13-14
Location: Athens, Georgia
Course: UGA Golf Course
Live Scoring: http://bit.ly/2JypmRt

The format gets a makeover for this year’s event. In recent years, the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic featured one round of stroke play followed by match play in an effort to mirror the NCAA Championship.

The tournament was scheduled to be a three-day stroke play event this year but forecasted weather has changed that as well. Teams will play two rounds on Friday beginning with an 8:45 a.m. shotgun start.

The final round will be played on Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Arkansas headlines the 11-team field and is ranked No. 3 in both the Golfstat and Golfweek polls.

The Razorbacks have five team titles this season paced by junior Maria Fassi who has five individual wins. Top-ranked Alabama and No. 5 Duke are also in the field along with three Southeastern Conference teams.

Fassi is in the midst of a record-setting season. She is just the second student-athlete in program history to win five or more events in a single season, joining former world #1 Stacy Lewis with that distinction.

Fassi has played her way to a 514-15 win-loss record and is ranked No. 2 in both the Golfstat and Golfweek player rankings.

Senior Alana Uriell and junior Dylan Kim have also had great seasons. Uriell has counted every round toward the team’s total score and is second with a 71.10 stroke average.

She trails Fassi who leads the team with a 69.33 mark. Kim is third on the team with a 71.38 stroke average.

Uriell was Arkansas’ top finisher at the Maryb S. Kauth Invitational and Kim has four top-5 finishes this season.

Kaylee Benton and Maria Hoyos round out the Razorback lineup while Cara Gorlei will tee it up as an individual in Georgia.

Lineup
Maria Fassi, Jr. 69.33
Alana Uriell, Sr. 71.10
Dylan Kim, Jr. 71.38
Kaylee Benton, Jr. 73.90
Maria Hoyos, Fr. 72.78
Cara Gorlei (Ind.), Jr. 72.87

The Field  Golfstat/Golfweek)
Alabama 2/1
Arkansas 3/3
Baylor 42/37
Daytona State 1*
Denver 49/45
Duke 5/4
Florida 13/12
Georgia 44/43
Kansas 85/87
Kennesaw State 45/46
Louisville 28/27
Ole Miss 37/34

*NJCAA Ranking

Hogs add JUCO transfer to roster for 2018-19 season

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Mike Anderson announced the addition of junior college transfer Mason Jones of Connors State College to the 2018-19 roster.

Jones joins the Razorbacks after finishing his freshman season as a Cowboy where he averaged 15.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. The 6-5 guard started 25 of 35 games last season, including each of the final 23 contests. Jones finished in double figures in scoring 28 times, including nine 20-point games and two 30-point efforts.

“With Mason coming to Fayetteville, we feel like we landed a perimeter player who brings all the attributes we embrace in our program,” said Anderson. “He is an outstanding student, a person of character and has great basketball IQ. He is really skilled, can score the basketball, rebounds and plays with an edge.

“Mason comes from a great family and we look forward to having him join our program this summer.”

In a win over Eastern Oklahoma State College, Jones led the Cowboys with 33 points, going 12-of-20 (.600) from the floor, including 8-of-11 (.727) from behind the arc.

On the season, he shot 51.5 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from deep and 77.4 percent from the free throw line.

Jones recorded four five-assists games and pulled down 10-plus rebounds nine times, including a season-high 18 against Redlands Community College where he also had a season-high six assists. He tallied nine double-doubles last season.

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