Seniors go out strong, promising Hogs ‘going dancing’
Dusty Hannahs pumped his fist, Manuale Watkins raised his arms and Moses Kingsley hugged Arkansas coach Mike Anderson on his way off the court.
In their final game in Bud Walton Arena, the Razorbacks trio of seniors accomplished what they had hoped for all along — all but securing Arkansas’ return to the NCAA Tournament with an 85-67 win over Georgia to close out the regular season on Saturday.
“We just want to let you all know, we’re going dancing,” Hannahs excitedly told the fans at midcourt afterward.
The Razorbacks (23-8, 12-6 SEC) appeared on their way to missing the NCAAs for a fifth time in six years after back-to-back losses to Missouri and Vanderbilt early last month.
However, Saturday’s win was their sixth in the last seven games since those defeats — likely giving Arkansas its second NCAA Tournament appearance in the last three seasons thanks to its late-season surge.
Hannahs, Kingsley and Watkins combined for 42 points in their final home game for the Razorbacks, with Hannahs and Kingsley finishing with 15 each and Watkins 12. Junior Jaylen Barford added 15 points for Arkansas, which has now won 12 conference games for only the second time in 22 seasons and rebounded from a disappointing 16-16 record a season ago.
“We’ve done what we’re supposed to do,” Anderson said when asked if he felt Arkansas had earned an NCAA berth. “We’ve done what we’re supposed to do.”
Both teams entered Saturday looking to close out the regular season with a much-needed boost to their NCAA Tournament chances, with Arkansas 28th in the NCAA’s RPI ratings and Georgia 52nd.
The Razorbacks hit just five of their first 15 shots to open the game, falling behind 21-14, but they closed the first half by hitting nine of their last 13 shots to take a 38-37 halftime edge. Their hot shooting continued in the second half, with Arkansas hitting 55.7 percent (34 of 61) of its shots for the game.
The Bulldogs (18-13, 9-9) led by as many as seven points in the first half, but they were outscored 47-30 in the second. J.J. Frazier led the way with 24 points, hitting all 13 of his free throws, while Derek Ogbeide added 12 in the loss.
Georgia shot just 31.1 percent (19 of 61) in the game, 8 of 32 (25 percent) in the second half against an Arkansas team Bulldogs coach Mark Fox said “no doubt” had earned its NCAA Tournament spot — even before Saturday’s win.
“Arkansas is a very good club, and we could not find a lineup that could both score and get stops,” Fox said. “They’ve got a very good team, and we certainly couldn’t slow them down.”
BIG PICTURE
Georgia: The Bulldogs entered the game having won five of their last six games to help their postseason chances, but they now likely have to win the SEC Tournament next week to secure an NCAA berth. Under Fox, Georgia has won at least 20 games in each of the last three seasons — the first time the school has done that in its history.
Arkansas: The Razorbacks missed the NCAA Tournament in Anderson’s first three seasons, but they appear now to have all but secured the school’s second appearance in the last three seasons. Arkansas’ win followed a familiar trend on Saturday, with the Razorbacks outscoring Georgia by one point in the first half and 17 in the second. They entered game having outscored their opponents by one point in the first half for the season and 180 points in the second.
SENIOR STRENGTH
Hannahs, Kingsley and Watkins were each honored during a Senior Day ceremony before the game. The three then did everything they could to ensure they ended their Bud Walton Arena careers with a win, combining to hit 16 of 28 shots (57.1 percent).
UP NEXT
Both teams next play at the SEC Tournament, which begins on Wednesday.
With Dykes out, is it time for another ‘Long Reach?’
Jimmy Dykes has resigned as the women’s basketball coach at Arkansas.
Whether he was asked to by Jeff Long is not known, but it should have been Long’s decision.
Dykes, one of the greatest people you’d ever want to meet, was really more qualified to be a head men’s coach … and his best qualification for that was analyzing games on ESPN.
It was a “Long Reach,” which describes most of the hires Long has made since taking over as athletics director.
“It was a tremendous honor to be the head coach at my alma mater for the past three years,” said Dykes. “I know in my heart, that God moved me into this position and I trust 100 percent that he is now moving me forward to something different.”
Dykes recently finished his third full season at Arkansas after joining the program in 2014.
In his three seasons, Dykes posted a record of 43-49, including a 16-36 record in SEC games (combined regular season and SEC Tournament). During his tenure, the Razorbacks made one appearance in the NCAA Tournament (2015), advancing to the second round.
“I am appreciative of the effort Jimmy has demonstrated over the past three years to our program,” Long said. “When we met following the completion of the women’s basketball season, Jimmy informed me that he would be stepping down from his position as head coach. I support his decision. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
There was no mention of Dykes receiving the $750,000 buyout he was due since he was under contract through 2020.
Now the fan base will be looking to Long to make a solid hire.
And hopefully it won’t be another Long Reach.
Another strong pitching performance lifts Arkansas to second win
Making his Razorback debut on the mound, junior Trevor Stephan earned his first victory of the year and catcher Grant Koch delivered a key two RBI hit in the third inning to help lead Arkansas to the 5-1 win over Miami of Ohio Saturday afternoon at Baum Stadium.
In front of a huge crowd of 10,891 fans, the 11th-largest crowd in stadium history, the Hogs leaned on much of the same element that gave them Friday’s win, which was strong pitching. Stephan only threw four innings Saturday, but he struck out five batters and scattered three hits, while only giving up the one run, a home run in the fourth.
Over the last two games, Arkansas’ starting pitchers have thrown a combined eight innings and given up only six hits, one earned run, and struck out 10 batters. Neither starting pitcher gave up a walk, as well.
Offensively, Arkansas totaled 10 hits in the game, all singles with the exception of Koch’s two RBI double in the third inning. Eight different players recorded at least one hit, while Eric Cole and Dominic Fletcher turned in their second straight multi-hit day, each going 2-for-4 at the plate.
Moments That Mattered
The Hogs lit up the scoreboard in the first inning for the second straight day after Fletcher singled home Cole to take a 1-0 lead, but it wasn’t until the third inning that they were able to pad that lead to a more comfortable size.
Senior Jake Arledge led off the third with a single and, eventually, reached third base after a wild pitch and a fielder’s choice off the bat of Luke Bonfield. Bonfield was able to get into scoring position in the next at-bat on another wild pitch, leaving the scoring opportunity wide open for Koch.
The Fayetteville, Arkansas native laced a 1-1 pitch into the right-centerfield gap for his first hit of the year, driving in two runs in the process and giving the Razorbacks the 3-1 lead. He later scored on a Carson Shaddy single to make it 4-1.
After Stephan made it through four innings on the mound, the bullpen shutout the Redhawks for the remaining five innings. Dominic Taccolini, Weston Rogers and Cody Scroggins struck out a combined six batters and only allowed one hit the rest of the way. Taccolini did allow the first walk of the weekend in the seventh inning, snapping a streak of 56 consecutive batters without allowing a walk by the Arkansas pitching staff.
Razorback Quotables
“I think it’s great experience for our new guys. I think once you get used to it you know they (fans) are there, but you are not in awe of it. You are just appreciative more than anything that they come out to watch us in all kinds of weather. Today’s crowd was incredible. I mean I don’t know if I have ever seen that many people in the outfield.” – Dave Van Horn on the size of the crowds through the first two games
“He helped me out a lot. He calmed me down in the bullpen because I didn’t know what I was walking out to. He just talked me down and told me I was going to go. He had faith in me.” – Trevor Stephan on how catcher Grant Koch helped him through his first start
“I think it’s incredible. I think they are really confident up there and that’s the biggest thing.” – Grant Koch on the strong starts by the pitching staff over the first two games
Game Notes
• With Saturday’s 5-1 win, Arkansas improved to 5-0 all-time against Miami (Ohio).
• Arkansas is 2-0 to start a season for the sixth straight year, 13th overall under head coach Dave Van Horn.
• For the second straight year, Arkansas eclipsed the 10,000 mark in attendance in the second game of the season, bringing this year’s total to 20,334 fans in attendance so far.
• Before allowing a run in the fourth inning Sunday, Razorback pitchers threw 12 straight shutout innings, the longest streak to start the year since not allowing a run over 13.1 innings at the start of the 2011 season.
• For the second straight day, Arkansas struck out more than 10 Redhawk batters, bringing the total to 23 for the weekend.
• Arkansas’ one run allowed is the fewest through the first two games of a season since 2006.
Up Next
The Razorbacks and Redhawks will play their final game of the three-game opening weekend series Sunday afternoon at Baum Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1:02 p.m. and will be televised on SEC Network+.
Yamzon posts career best, but Hogs still fall to Florida
After winning her first two career all-around titles in wins over Alabama and Auburn, Jessica Yamzon set a new career best against No. 3 Florida, scoring a career-best 9.875 on floor exercise for a 39.300 in the all-around.
Florida, the No. 3 team in the nation, scored a 49.250 or higher in the first events on the way to the 197.125-195.200 win over Arkansas on Friday night in Barnhill Arena.
Alex McMurtry scored a 9.975 to anchor the Gators on uneven bars in the first rotation, while Alicia Boren won the all-around title with a score of 39.500.
Arkansas posted identical scores of 48.950 on vault and uneven bars in the first rotations. Braie Speed scored a team best and matched her season with a 9.850 on vault and also matched her season best with a 9.825 on uneven bars. Hailey Garner led the way with a 9.850 on uneven bars.
Yamzon and Michaela Burton posted scores of 9.850 and Samantha Nelson added a score of 9.800 on balance beam in the third rotation.
Arkansas closed strong, scoring a season-best 49.325 on floor exercise. All five competing gymnasts scored a 9.825 or higher, led by Samantha Nelson with a team season-best 9.900. Yamzon scored a career-best 9.875, while Sydney McGlone scored a season-best 9.875.
Notable
• Florida has won 14 straight meets against Arkansas, including six dual meets, since Arkansas won meetings during the 2011 season.
• Braie Speed matched her season bests on both vault (9.850) and uneven bars (9.825). She also made her career debut on balance beam.
• Hailey Garner posted her fourth score of 9.8 or higher on uneven bars in five meets this season.
• Four of the five competing gymnasts on floor exercise matched or set season bests, including Jessica Yamzon who set a caeer best with a 9.875 and Samantha Nelson (9.900) and Sydney McGlone (9.875), who both set season bests.
• Jessica Yamzon matched a career best on vault (9.775) and set a career best on floor exercise (9.875) for a career-best 39.300 in the all-around.
• Samantha Nelson joined Sydney McGlone in becoming the second gymnast to post multiple scores of 9.900 this season and they both have done so in different events.
Four different gymnasts have combined for five scores of 9.900 this season:
• Amanda Wellick (Vault at UCLA)
• Sydney McGlone (Vault vs. Missouri, Balance Beam at Georgia)
• Samantha Nelson (Balance Beam at Auburn, Floor Excercies vs. Florida)
• Hailey Garner (Uneven Bars vs. LSU)
Arkansas will face one more team ranked in the top 10 nationally: No. 9 Kentucky on March 3.
Up Next
Arkansas is on the road for its next two meets, traveling to Michigan State on Feb. 25 and No. 9 Kentucky on March 3. The Razorbacks return home for a Senior Night tri-meet against San Jose State and Centenary on March 10.
Hogs start fast, roll to opening day win over Miami-Ohio
With 9,443 in attendance for Opening Day at Baum Stadium, Arkansas put on a big hitting display in the first inning and got a late long ball from freshman Dominic Fletcher to shutout Miami of Ohio, 7-0, Friday afternoon.
Arkansas scored six runs off five hits in the opening frame and took advantage of some wild pitching from Miami starter Cole Gnetz, who was forced out of the game after just two-thirds of an inning. Arkansas ended up batting around the lineup before chasing Gnetz, but had built a sizable lead as five different players tallied hits in the first inning alone.
Sophomore Eric Cole and freshman Dominic Fletcher both turned in strong days at the plate, with each going 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Fletcher launched his first home run of his Razorback career in the seventh inning, a solo home run, as he provided the only other run in the game after the big first inning. Fletcher’s homer was the first by a true freshman on Opening Day since Andy Wilkins in 2008 against Wright State.
Sophomore starting pitcher Blaine Knight picked up his first victory on the mound, going a strong four innings and giving up only three hits, while striking out five.
Moments That Mattered
Arkansas got its first two batters on base to start the bottom half of the first via walks, which led to a Luke Bonfield single scoring the first run of the game. From there, the Razorbacks plated five more runs, including two off the bat of Cole, who singled to right in his second at-bat of the inning.
Bonfield joined Fletcher and Cole with a multi-hit game, as he went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Carson Shaddy and Chad Spanberger also added hits that contributed to the six-run first.
On the mound, Knight was nearly unhittable, giving up just one hit in the first and two in the fourth before giving way to the bullpen in the fifth inning. Jake Reindl and Cannon Chadwick followed Knight to near perfection, giving up a combined three hits and striking out seven batter over the final five innings.
Razorback Quotables
“I thought (Blaine) Knight had good stuff today. He spotted up his fastball, down and away, threw some good breaking balls and mixed in a few changeups.” – Dave Van Horn on Blaine Knight’s performance
“He’s been swinging the bat well for about the last 10 days and better than some of the guys that were behind him. I would say (Dominic) Fletcher and (Eric) Cole are our two hottest hitters coming into this game.” – Head coach Dave Van Horn on Dominic Fletcher season-opening performance
“Momentum is a big thing in baseball and once you get going, everyone just kind of starts to follow, and things start to happen.” – Dominic Fletcher on the Razorbacks’ big first inning
“I thought it went pretty good today. I had good command of all my pitches today, filled up the zone and kept them from hitting.” – Blaine Knight on how he thought his performance went
“We had been waiting about eight months to look across the field and see another team. That’s all of our hard work going in and wanting to snap that losing streak from last year.” – Eric Cole on the Hogs’ big first inning
Game Notes
• Arkansas’ 7-0 shutout of Miami (Ohio) was the first opening day shutout since 2011 and third under Dave Van Horn.
• Head coach Dave Van horn is now 15-0 on opening day at Arkansas.
• Arkansas is now 47-11 in Opening Day games since 1960 and the 23rd straight victory on the first day of the season.
• Starting pitcher Blaine Knight recorded his first win of the season Friday afternoon and third of his career.
• Today’s game was the fifth game of Blaine Knight’s career in which he threw five or more strikeouts.
• Arkansas recorded 12 strikeouts as a team, its most since May 7, 2016 against LSU, and most over a non-conference opponent since March 11, 2016 against Western Illinois.
• Today’s attendance of 9,440 at Baum Stadium was the second straight opening day with over 9,000 in attendance.
Up Next
The Razorbacks will meet Miami of Ohio again on Saturday for game two of the three game series. First pitch is slated for 12:02 p.m. and will be televised on SEC Network+.
Arkansas looks for third win on road trip to Indiana
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Aiming for its third straight victory, Arkansas’ women’s tennis team will take on Purdue in a 2 p.m. CT match on Friday at the Schwartz Tennis Center.
Match Day Information
Matchup: Arkansas (5-2) at Purdue (5-3)
Date: Friday, Feb. 17
Location: West Lafayette, Ind. (Schwartz Tennis Center)
First Serve: 2 p.m. CT
Live Stats: Click Here
Live Video: Click Here
Quotable
“We look forward to another great match with Purdue,” head coach Michael Hegarty said. “It’s been 4-3 the past two seasons. So we know we will need to bring everything we can to earn a great result.”
The Series
This will be just the fifth meeting between the two programs, with Purdue holding a 3-1 record. Arkansas won last year’s contest 4-3. The Razorbacks claimed the doubles point and earned three victories in singles for the team win.
Last Time Out
Arkansas got a big 4-3 road victory at Kansas last Saturday. The Razorbacks won the doubles point and then took three matches in singles to claim the overall victory. The match also featured the successful debut of highly touted freshman Giulia Pairone, who was first off the court with victories in both singles and doubles action.
Purdue is coming off a 4-3 setback to DePaul at home last Sunday.
Ranked Razorbacks
Senior co-captain Shannon Hudson and sophomore Ana Oparenovic each earned spots in last week’s Oracle/ITA Collegiate Tennis Division I Women’s National Singles Rankings. Hudson surged 51 spots to a career-best No. 47, while Oparenovic entered the rankings for the first time this spring at tied for No. 103. Hudson owns a 9-4 overall singles record with a 4-2 mark in dual match play this season, while Oparenovic is 8-4 overall and 2-1 in dual matches.
Leading The Way
Natsuho Arakawa owns a team-best 14-4 overall record, including a 6-1 mark this spring. The freshman standout is also 9-1 in her last 10 matches dating back to the fall. In doubles, Arakawa and sophomore Agne Cepelyte lead the way with a 7-1 overall record, including a 4-1 mark in dual matches.
Up Next
Following the weekend, Arkansas will return home for a Monday doubleheader. The Razorbacks are set to face Wichita State at 1 p.m., before taking on Cornell at 6 p.m.
Monday’s Promotions
• Both matches will feature complimentary Keurig coffee, pizza, popcorn and Pepsi products for all in attendance.
• The first 50 fans at the 6 p.m. match against Cornell will receive an Arkansas women’s tennis T-shirt.
Hogs’ women’s team closes out indoor season in Fayetteville, Indiana
A perpetual staple in the national top three so far this year Arkansas’ women’s track and field team will close out its indoor regular season campaign this weekend at the Arkansas Qualifier in Fayetteville and the Alex Wilson Invitational in South Bend, Ind.
The Razorbacks will host nine programs this weekend including Arkansas Baptist, Central Missouri, Kansas, Missouri Southern, Oklahoma Christian, Oklahoma State, Oral Roberts, Rogers State and Tulsa will also be making the journey to the Randal Tyson Track Center on Friday.
Therese Haiss, Daina Harper, Damajahnee Birch and Nikki Hiltz will travel to Notre Dame on Saturday in search of an NCAA Indoor Championship qualifying mark in the distance medley relay.
“We’re at a crossroads this weekend,” head coach Lance Harter said. “Two things happen. One, those that are not going to be in the top 27 that are allowed to compete at the SEC Championships, this is the end of their season. Those that are going to be on the roster going into the SEC meet are going to take care of business and use this as their final tune up or as a competition to try and improve their mark as far as seeding purposes go for the SEC meet. Besides that, we’re also going to take our distance medley relay to Notre Dame and try to get it qualified to add to our weapons for the NCAA Championships.”
Arkansas will open up competition at the Arkansas Qualifier at 3:15 p.m. on Friday with four Razorbacks entered in the women’s pole vault.
Arkansas Qualifier
Date/Time: Friday, Feb. 17, 3:15 p.m. CT
Venue: Randal Tyson Track Center (Fayetteville, Arkansas)
Tickets: $5 for Adults, 17 and under free
Important Links: Meet Schedule | Live Results | Start Lists
Alex Wilson Invitational
Date/Time: Saturday, Feb. 18, 10:45 a.m. CT
Venue: Loftus Sports Center (South Bend, Indiana)
Important Links: Meet Schedule | Live Results | Watch Live (Subscription Required) | Start Lists
Arkansas up to No. 3 in national polls; closes indoor season over weekend
Up two spots in the latest national rankings, No. 3 Arkansas’ men’s track and field team heads into its final regular season competition weekend, taking on the Arkansas Qualifier in Fayetteville and the UCS Invitational in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The Razorbacks will host nine programs this weekend, including No. 8 Kansas and No. 22 Oklahoma State. In addition to the nationally ranked regional foes, Arkansas Baptist, Central Missouri, Missouri Southern, Oklahoma Christian, Oral Roberts, Rogers State and Tulsa will also be making the journey to the Randal Tyson Track Center on Friday.
Arkansas will also send the distance medley relay team of Ethan Moehn, Jamarco Stephen, Carlton Orange and Jack Bruce to North Carolina on Saturday in search of an NCAA Indoor Championship qualifying time.
“We’re looking to take another step forward with our team,” head coach Chris Bucknam said. “We still have some room for improvement. Things are starting to calm down a little bit from a training standpoint and we’re probably getting to a point where we’ll freshen up a little bit and hopefully continue to make progress.”
Arkansas will open up competition at the Arkansas Qualifier at 4:30 p.m. on Friday with four Razorbacks entered in the men’s shot put.
Arkansas Qualifier
Date/Time: Friday, Feb. 17, 3:15 p.m. CT
Venue: Randal Tyson Track Center
Tickets: $5 for Adults, 17 and under free
Important Links: Meet Schedule | Live Results | Start Lists
UCS Invitational
Date/Time: Saturday, Feb. 18, 1:00 p.m. CT
Venue: JDL Fast Track
Important Links: Meet Information | Live Results | Watch Live (Subscription Required) | Entries
Hogs ready to kick off regular season with series against Miami-Ohio
• Opening Weekend Game Notes (PDF)
Arkansas opens its 95th season of play Friday and 15th under coach Dave Van Horn when it hosts Miami (Ohio) from the Mid-American Conference (MAC) for a three-game series at Baum Stadium.
First pitch on Friday is set for 3:02 p.m. Saturday’s game will start at 12:02 p.m., followed by Sunday’s series finale at 1:02 p.m.
Follow Live
All three games will be available on SEC Network+ and the WatchESPN app with Alex Perlman (PXP) and Troy Eklund (Analyst). Phil Elson (PXP) and Rick Schaeffer (Analyst) will have the call on the IMG Sports Network on Friday. Scott Inman will join Schaeffer on Saturday and Sunday for games two and three.
Probable Starters
Fri. | 3:02 p.m. | (ARK) RHP Blaine Knight vs. (MU) RHP Cole Gnetz
Sat. | 12:02 p.m. | (ARK) RHP Trevor Stephan vs. (MU) LHP Zach Spears
Sun. | 1:02 p.m. | (ARK) TBA vs. (MU) RHP Grant Hartwig
Home Sweet Home
For the ninth straight year dating back to 2008, Arkansas will be opening the season at Baum Stadium. The opener against Miami (Ohio) will be the first of a six-game home stand to start the year. 17 of Arkansas’ first 22 games this season will be inside Baum Stadium. The Hogs have won at least 20 games at home every year since 2006.
Johnson Returns Home
2017 will mark the first season with the Razorbacks for new pitching coach Wes Johnson. A Sherwood, Arkansas native, Johnson takes over for long time pitching coach Dave Jorn, who stepped down last summer. Johnson spent one season at Mississippi State and four seasons at Dallas Baptist before arriving at Arkansas. Last season with the Bulldogs, Johnson developed a pitching staff that improved its ERA by more than a full run and won 44 games, its most since 1997.
Knight Gets the Opening Day Nod
Sophomore right-hander Blaine Knight will get the call to be the Opening day starting pitcher Friday against Miami (Ohio). This is the sixth time in the last seven years that a right-hander will be the Opening Day starter for the Hogs and 11th under head coach Dave Van Horn. Of the last 14 Opening Day starters, 12 have been drafted, including last year’s Opening Day pitcher, Dominic Taccolini, who returned to the Hogs for his senior season after being drafted by Toronto in the 16th round.
Bonafide Bonfield
Prior to the season, outfielder Luke Bonfield was named to the preseason All-SEC second team by the league coaches. The New Jersey native is coming off his best season as a Razorback in 2016 and had one of the best bats in the league as he notched 14 multi-hit games and tied for the team high with nine multi-RBI games.
Scouting Miami (Ohio)
After finishing second in the East Division of the MAC in 2016, the Redhawks were picked to finish second in the East again this year by the league coaches in the preseason poll released on Thursday. Miami (Ohio) posted a 27-28 record last year, including a 14-10 mark in MAC play, the third-best conference record among all MAC teams. Miami (Ohio) last visited Baum Stadium in 2000 for two midweek games, both of which Arkansas won by a combined score of 20-6. Both teams also met in the NCAA Tournament in the Austin Regional in 2005, with Arkansas taking the 9-5 victory.
