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Pitching matchup in first game highlights Hogs-Auburn series

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Coming off a two-game midweek sweep of ULM earlier this week,Arkansas hopes to continue its good play at home when it faces Auburn this weekend for a key three-game series at Baum Stadium.

Auburn will be the fourth-consecutive top-15 team that Arkansas has had to face to open SEC play.

The Razorbacks are 5-4 in league play through the first three weekends and sit just one game back of SEC Western Division leader Ole Miss.

Friday night’s matchup is expected to be one of the best pitching duels in the nation this year as Arkansas’ Blaine Knight will face off against Auburn’s Casey Mize.

Knight has two consecutive victories under his belt for the Razorbacks, winning at No. 2 Florida and No. 4 Ole Miss.

In seven starts this year, Knight has garnered a 2.01 ERA with just nine earned runs allowed in 40.1 innings. His ERA is the fourth lowest in the SEC and his earned run total is the fifth lowest.

On the opposing side, Mize comes in as one of the best pitchers in the nation.

With a 2.11 ERA, Mize has struck out a conference-best 70 batters and leads the nation in strikeout-to-walk ratio (23.33).

Mize will have to face one of the hottest hitters in the league in Razorback freshman Heston Kjerstad.

Kjerstad is currently on a team-best 14 game hitting streak and is hitting an even .400 this season, good for a tie for second among all SEC players.

Since the streak started on March 14 against Texas, Kjerstad has hit .439 with 25 hits, 15 RBIs, five doubles, six home runs, and only 11 strikeouts.

FOLLOW LIVE
Games one and two will be streamed via SEC Network+, the online-only arm of the SEC Network on WatchESPN.com and the Watch ESPN app.

Brett Dolan (PxP) and Troy Eklund (Analyst) will have the call. Sunday’s series finale will be broadcast on the SEC Network with Jason Benetti (PxP) and Todd Walker (Analyst) calling the game.

Phil Elson will call all three games on the radio for the Razorback Sports Network from IMG and he’ll be joined by former Razorback Bubba Carpenter.

The radio broadcasts are also available on the Razorback Gameday app.

IMPORTANT LINKS (ALL TIMES CENTRAL)
Fri, April 6 – Arkansas vs. Auburn – 6:30 p.m. – LIVE STATS | WATCH (SECN+)
Sat, April 7 – Arkansas vs. Auburn – 6 p.m. – LIVE STATS | WATCH (SECN+)
Sun, April 8 – Arkansas vs. Auburn – 4 p.m. – LIVE STATS | WATCH (SEC Network)

PROBABLE STARTERS
FRI: ARK RHP Blaine Knight (2.01 ERA, 5-0, 43 K, 10 BB) vs. AU RHP Casey Mize (2.11 ERA, 6-0, 70 K, 3 BB)

SAT: ARK LHP Kacey Murphy (2.25 ERA, 3-2, 26 K, 6 BB) vs. AU RHP Davis Daniel (3.34 ERA, 2-1, 30 K, 15 BB)

SUN: ARK TBA vs. AU TBA

RAZORBACK PRIME 9

• Arkansas hosts its first home SEC series in three weeks as the 13th-ranked Auburn Tigers visit Baum Stadium for a three-game series. Auburn will be Arkansas’ fourth-consecutive top-15 conference opponent.

• The Hogs picked up their fourth shutout of the season Wednesday against ULM after utilizing a seven-inning scoreless performance from freshman pitcher Caleb Bolden.

• Freshman Heston Kjerstad is on a team-best 14-game hitting streak going into Friday’s game against Auburn. During the streak. Kjerstad is hitting .439 with an .842 slugging percentage and six home runs.

• Kjerstad’s second-inning home run Wednesday against ULM was a tape-measure shot, traveling 430 feet well over the right-centerfield scoreboard at Baum Stadium.

• Arkansas still leads the SEC and ranks second in the nation with 55 home runs, 15 ahead of its SEC-leading pace last year.

• The Razorbacks have played nine one-run games this season, winning four of them. Most recently, Arkansas won its first extra-inning affair against ULM, 10-9, on Tuesday.

• Blaine Knight won his second-consecutive start last week against No. 4 Ole Miss, moving to 6-0. In five of his seven starts, Knight has thrown six or more innings and struck out four or more.

• Arkansas is 16-2 in games played at Baum Stadium this year. As a team, the Hogs are hitting .351 inside the friendly confines with 38 home runs hit. The pitching staff has a combined 2.61 ERA and a .229 opposing batting average.

>> In 18 games this year, Arkansas has totaled 10 or more hits. In those games, the Hogs are 15-3 with 13 of those wins coming at Baum Stadium.

Nance on playing faster and making big plays in new offense

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas wide receiver Jonathan Nance talks about how the new offense will generate big plays and put more points on the scoreboard.

Pettway on wide receivers’ strong efforts in Thursday practice

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas running back La’Michael Pettway on playing in Little Rock again and how receivers are handling new offensive terminology and more.

Whaley on how new offense helping Hogs’ running game

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Arkansas running back Devwah Whaley talked with the media after Thursday’s practice and talked about how the new offense is opening up the running game.

Gibson on offensive line’s progress through spring practice

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Arkansas offensive lineman Johnny Gibson talked with the media after Thursday’s practice on the progress of the line and spring game.

Arkansas golfers back in action at Aggie Invitational this weekend

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Following an 18-day break from competition, Arkansas returns to the links this weekend, traveling to Bryan, Texas, to compete in the Aggie Invitational for the sixth consecutive season.

The Razorbacks continue to play one of the toughest schedules in the country, facing five of the top 10 teams in the nation, including top-ranked Oklahoma State and No. 2 Texas A&M on its home course.

The 54-hole event will be played at the Jack Nicklaus designed Traditions Club, a par 72, 7,146-yard course that opened in 2004. Teams will play 36 holes on Saturday, April 7, before coming back for 18 holes on Sunday, April 8. Live scoring is available at Golfstat.com or via the Golfstat Live app.

The Razorbacks return to the always-tough Aggie Invitational for the sixth straight year, having posted top-three finishes at the event twice in the last three years. The 14-team field will serve as the team’s final tune-up before postseason play.

Alvaro Ortiz leads the team with a 70.1 stroke average, while Mason Overstreet is right on his heels at 70.4 The duo has combined to shoot 33-under par on the year. Luis Garza is third on the team in stroke average and joins Ortiz and Overstreet as individual winners this season.

Arkansas enters the final tournament of the regular season with a 94-34-2 overall head-to-head record, including a 49-23-2 mark during the spring campaign. The Razorbacks have multiple team victories for the sixth time in the last eight years and are looking for a third title for the first time in six seasons.

Live scoring will be available at Golfstat.com or via the Golfstat Live app.

The Rundown
Schedule: April 7-8 | 36 holes on Saturday, 18 on Sunday
Course: Traditions Club | Bryan, Texas
Yardage: 7,146 – Par 72
Format: Play 5, count 4

Razorback Lineup
1. Alvaro Ortiz, Jr. (70.1)
2. Mason Overstreet, So. (70.4)
3. Luis Garza, Fr. (71.8)
4. William Buhl, Fr. (71.9)
5. Tyson Reeder, So. (74.8)
IND. Landon Ernst, Fr. (74.2)

The Field
No. 8 Alabama
No. 16 Arkansas
No. 10 Baylor
Denver
Houston
No. 25 Kent State
No. 12 LSU
Michigan
New Mexico
New Mexico State
North Texas
No. 1 Oklahoma State
No. 2 Texas A&M
No. 6 Texas Tech

Morris on final days of spring practices Thursday afternoon

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas coach Chad Morris met with the media Thursday afternoon before the Hogs’ final practice before going down to Little Rock for Saturday’s Red-White game.

Looking at where Razorback minor leaguers open season

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — With the 2018 Major League Baseball season already a week old, it’s now time for the minor league systems to get their seasons rolling as well.

Several former Razorbacks litter various farm clubs across the country and are coming off impressive years with their clubs.

Many of those players carried over that strong play into spring training this year and, as a result, we’ve seen several ProHogs receive promotions within their respective organizations.

Let’s take a look at the Hogs who made the jump this offseason.

D.J. Baxendale – Triple-A Rochester Red Wings (Twins) – D.J. Baxendale was promoted to Triple-A Rochester at the tail end of 2016 and was able to resume with the Redwings at the start of the 2017 season.

Last August, Baxendale was re-assigned to Double-A Chattanooga where he finished the final month of the season and compiled a 1.27 ERA over six appearances with just three earned runs allowed in 21.1 innings.

A big reason for Baxendale’s move down was to help Chattanooga’s chance at a Southern League championship, which it won.

Baxendale is back with Triple-A Rochester to start 2018, a club where he was used primarily out of the bullpen and struck out 40 batters in 40.1 innings.

Bobby Wernes – Double-A Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies) – After a red-hot start in Single-A (short) Boise, Bobby Wernes was quickly promoted to Single-A (full) Asheville four games into the 2017 season.

Over his next 66 games, Wernes slashed .294/.376/.448 with 30 extra base hits. In one year, he increased his average by .075, his on-base percentage by .081, and his slugging by .186.

That production earned him a spot with Double-A Hartford to start the 2018 campaign.

Zach Jackson – Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays) – In his first two professional seasons, Zach Jackson has quickly climbed the minor league ladder, advancing through four different clubs.

At each level, he’s lowered his ERA, his opponents’ batting average, and increased his strikeout total. In 27 games with Single-A (advanced) Dunedin, Jackson held a 2.03 ERA with 43 strikeouts and was 4-for-4 in save opportunities.

His consistent improvement against tougher competition earned him a spot with Double-A New Hampshire to start 2018.

Cannon Chadwick – Single-A (Full) Columbia Fireflies (Mets) – In his first year as a pro, Cannon Chadwick appeared in 18 games with the Brooklyn Cyclones.

His 1.33 ERA was the lowest on the team and his 40 strikeouts were second among all Cyclones pitcher and first among relievers.

His successful first year earned him a promotion to Single-A (full) Columbia where he will begin 2018.

Chad Spanberger – Single-A (Full) Asheville Tourists (Rockies) – Chad Spanberger showed up in Grand Junction and picked up right where he left off from his final season at Baum Stadium.

After hitting 20 home runs with the Hogs in the spring, Spanberger hit 19 more with Grand Junction over the summer.

He slashed .294/.368/.617 with over half of his hits going for extra bases. As the Rockies’ No. 25 prospect, Spanberger will begin 2018 with Single-A (full) Asheville.

James Teague – Single-A (Advanced) Frederick Keys (Orioles) – The 37th round draft pick out of Bartlesville, Oklahoma has come a long way in a short time since being drafted in 2016.

After finishing his first year as a pro in Single-A (short) Aberdeen, Teague’s numbers earned him a spot with Single-A (full) Delmarva at the beginning of 2017.

After a rocky start, Teague was sent back to Aberdeen where he was nearly untouchable. In his 16 appearances with Aberdeen, he compiled a 1.02 ERA, tallied 29 strikeouts, and earned eight saves.

Such production earned him an invitation to the Orioles main spring training where he struck out seven, walked one, allowed no earned runs, and earned three saves in eight appearances. Teague will start 2018 in Single-A (advanced) Frederick.

Trevor Stephan – Single-A (Advanced) Tampa Tarpons (Yankees) – After signing with the New York Yankees last summer, Trevor Stephan began his pro career at the rookie level with the GCL Yankees.

After facing six batters over two perfect innings, Stephan was quickly on the move as he was promoted to Single-A (short) Staten Island.

In 10 games with Staten Island, Stephan generated 1.39 ERA and held opponents to just a .177 batting average.

Trevor is currently the No. 15 prospect for his respective club and will begin the 2018 season with A (advanced) Tampa as its Opening Day starter.

Other Hogs in the Minors

Triple-A — Barrett Astin (LOU), Jalen Beeks (PAW), Brett Eibner (RR), Matt Reynolds (SYR), Ryne Stanek (DUR)

Double-A — Dominic Ficociello (ERIE), Andy Wilkins (CHATT)

Single-A (Adv) — Trey Killian (LAN), Jacob Morris (WIN-SA)

Single-A — Michael Bernal (AUG), Clark Eagan (WV)

Rookie — Josh Alberius (GCL Marlins), Dominic Taccolini (AZL Padres), Doug Willey (OREM)

Hogs start road trip at No. 12 South Carolina on Friday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas begins a five-game road trip with a weekend series at No. 12 South Carolina.

The three-game set begins Friday with the team’s first trip to Columbia since 2015.

All three top-25 matchups will be streamed on SEC Network+ and through the WatchESPN app. The Razorbacks’ road trip will also take the team to Saint Louis next Tuesday for a midweek doubleheader.

No. 20/21 Arkansas (28-6/5-4 SEC) at No. 12/11 South Carolina (31-6/6-3 SEC) | Game Notes
Carolina Softball Stadium (Columbia, S.C.)

Game 1: Friday, April 6 at 5 p.m. – SEC Network+ | Live Stats
Game 2: Saturday, April 7 at 1 p.m. – SEC Network+ | Live Stats
Game 3: Sunday, April 8 at 12 p.m. – SEC Network+ | Live Stats

All-Time Series vs South Carolina

Arkansas and South Carolina have played 52 times prior to Friday’s series opener.

Nine of the Razorbacks’ 19 wins in the series have come in Columbia.

This weekend marks the first series meeting with both ranked inside the top 25.

Last Time Out

Katie Warrick drove in four runs and Autumn Storms picked up her second win of the series in Arkansas’ 8-2 win over No. 20 Mississippi State at Bogle Park.

Warrick, A.J. Belans and Haydi Bugarin each had two hits in the triumph. The victory capped a 12-1 home stand that featured a pair of SEC series wins.

It’s a Sweep

The Razorbacks’ sweep of No. 20 Mississippi State was the program’s first in SEC play since the 2013 season and their first ever against a ranked opponent in a three-game series. It was also the first series win against the Bulldogs since 2010.

Storms Named Pitcher of the Week

After a 2-0 week with a 0.00 ERA against Mississippi State including a complete-game shutout in game two to clinch the series, sophomore Autumn Storms was named SEC Pitcher of the Week.

She is the sixth Pitcher of the Week in program history and first since the 2009 season.

13 Pitches Later …

On the 13th pitch of her at-bat against Mississippi State’s Cassady Knudsen, junior Katie Warrick hit her team-high seventh home run in the sixth inning of an 8-2 win (April 1) at Bogle Park.

Warrick fell behind 1-2 and then fouled off five-consecutive pitches before clearing sending the ball over the wall in center field.

Rankings Watch

Arkansas is up three spots to a program-high No. 20 in the USA Today/NFCA poll and a carries a No. 21 ranking in the ESPN/USA Softball Top 25.

In the most recent RPI release, the Razorbacks are No. 17, another program best.

A Look at the Stat Sheet

Arkansas’ offense enters the weekend with 41 home runs, a mark that ranks second in the SEC and 11th in the NCAA.

The team also carries top-50 national figures in slugging percentage (.499), ERA (1.85), scoring (5.75 runs/game) and batting average (.300).

Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast

Bolden’s pitching, Kjerstad’s bomb propels Hogs past ULM

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas cruised past Louisiana-Monroe, 4-0, Wednesday afternoon at Baum Stadium, behind a strong start from freshman Caleb Bolden and another blast from fellow freshman Heston Kjerstad.

Bolden, making his second start of the season, didn’t disappoint, scattering seven hits over a career-high seven scoreless innings with no walks allowed and five strikeouts.

He also got a clean game from the defense behind him as it turned key double plays in the sixth and seventh innings to keep the shutout intact.

As for Kjerstad, the freshman continued on his tear, extending his hit streak to 14 games with his second inning home run to right-centerfield.

The homer was estimated at 430 feet as it cleared Arkansas’ 25-foot tall scoreboard in right field and was dispatched into the pond beyond the outfield wall.

The Amarillo, Texas, native finished the game 2-for-4, his team-leading 12th multi-hit game of the year.

Since the streak started on March 14 against Texas, Kjerstad has hit .439 with 25 hits, 15 RBIs, five doubles, six home runs, and only 11 strikeouts.

His homer Wednesday against ULM also gives him sole possession of the team lead for home runs and puts him third in the league.

Arkansas’ (21-9, 5-4 SEC) 4-0 win on Wednesday was its fourth shutout of the season and first since blanking USC, 4-0, on March 2.

The Hitting

Joining Kjerstad with two hits in the game were outfielder Eric Cole and designated hitter Evan Lee. Cole delivered a single in the fifth and a double in the seventh, while Lee singled in the second and the sixth.

Lee finished with a strong series, going 4-for-10 (.400) with four RBIs, including a home run on Tuesday.

He was also tabbed as the winning pitcher in game one, pitching a near spotless two-thirds of an inning after the game went to extras.

The Pitching

With Wednesday’s performance, Bolden may have locked up a spot as Arkansas’ midweek starter for the remainder of the season.

In both of his starts this year, the other coming against Dayton on Feb. 28, Bolden has pitched six or more innings without giving up a run or a walk, and has struck out five or more batters.

Redshirt sophomore Cody Scroggins finished up the eighth and ninth innings out of the bullpen, going a career-long two innings with no hits allowed and two strikeouts against seven batters faced.

Razorback Quotables

“Really good job by Caleb Bolden today. We were hoping to get four or five innings out of him, but he got rolling. He got a couple big double play balls and kept his pitch count down. He won’t be on the roster this weekend. He’ll just get ready for next Tuesday. We’ve been wanting a guy to do that. He can gain some experience that way for us.” — Coach Dave Van Horn on Caleb Bolden’s performance against ULM

“As soon as he hit it I said ‘that one’s gone’. It was one of the best I’ve ever seen. It was just so obvious being on the field with the sound it made and he got extension. He’s a good hitter. If you leave it in the zone, he usually hits it. There’s a lot of skill involved.” — Van Horn on Heston Kjerstad’s second-inning home run

“I knew I squared it up and hit it pretty good. I surprised myself when I saw it going over the scoreboard. I think it was the farthest I’ve ever hit one.” — Heston Kjerstad on his home run

“My fastball and curveball were really working for me today. It felt good getting out there after Florida. It’s a big confidence boost for me.” — Caleb Bolden on his seven-inning outing Tuesday against ULM

Up Next

Arkansas will take on another highly ranked opponent in 11th-ranked Auburn, starting Friday at Baum Stadium.

First pitch for game one with the Tigers and Razorbacks will be at 6:30 p.m. on SECN+.

Game two on Saturday will be at 6 p.m., also on SECN+. Sunday’s series finale will be broadcast on the SEC Network with first pitch slated for 4 p.m.

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