Holt on Lockhart’s big game to get Hogs rolling at SEC Tournament
Bob Holt of the Democrat-Gazette talked on Halftime on Thursday about Lael Lockhart’s solid seven innings against Georgia.
Wolfenbarger named Arkansas’ Gatorade Player of the Year
Incoming freshman Jersey Wolfenbarger was named the Arkansas Girls Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year, announced today.
With her win in 2019-20, Wolfenbarger joins an elite club of multiple time winners, including Christyn Williams, Jordan Danberry, Tyler Scaife, Morgan Hook, Shekinna Stricklen, and Kelly Johnson.
Sasha Goforth, who will play alongside Wolfenbarger this season, was the Gatorade Player in the state of Arkansas following the 2018-19 season.
The accolades continue to roll in for Wolfenbarger, who arrives as one of the most decorated incoming players in Razorback women’s basketball history.
On the national level, Wolfenbarger was named a McDonald’s All-American, a Jordan Brand Classic Invitee and was selected as one of five players that will have a shot at one of Team USA’s three vacant roster spots for the U19 World Cup.
At the state level, Wolfenbarger garnered Arkansas player of the year honors from the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Max Preps and the Arkansas Basketball Coaches Association.
At the time of her signing, Wolfenbarger was the number seven overall player and top ranked wing in ESPN’s HoopGurlz 2021 recruiting rankings.
The awards are not hollow, though, as Wolfenbarger impacted winning during her illustrious high school career.
She is coming off her second state title with Northside High School, as she led the Grizzlies to a 26-2 record and a Class 6A State Championship in 2020-21. She averaged 19.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.7 blocks per game during her final high school campaign.
Lockhart’s pitching, offense boosts Hogs, Georgia helps
Lael Lockhart pitched like Kevin Kopps for over seven innings, the offense put up good numbers and Arkansas opened the SEC Tournament with an 11-2 win.
Georgia helped a lot, too.
“They walked a lot, gave us some things, made a couple errors,” Dave Van Horn said later, “and we took advantage of it.”
The Bulldogs threw the ball over just about everything but the plate, including a wild second inning where the Razorbacks drew four walks. Christian Franklin walked twice in the same inning.
Six runs crossed the plate and Georgia was off to walking a total of 14 batters in the game. Franklin walked three times in the game and Cayden Wallace duplicated that.
“We just kept chipping away after we scored the six,” Van Horn said.
He was wanted another big inning to put the game on ice, but never got it. Matt Goodheart somehow had six at-bats and didn’t draw a walk. He didn’t get a hit, either, and struck out four times.
“We never could really get that big hit in the middle of the game to put them away,” Van Horn said.
It never really mattered. The Hogs put up the six in the second inning, then one in the fourth, three in the fifth and another in the eighth.
Lockhart shut the Bulldogs down through six innings (giving up two hits and striking out 11 without walking anybody), then got into a little trouble in the seventh and Heston Tole came in and stopped any miracle rallies.
“Just a solid game by our team,” Van Horn said. “We didn’t really make any mistakes.”
And didn’t have to use much of the bullpen. Kopps probably wasn’t going in under just about any circumstances, but Van Horn didn’t have to use anybody other than Tole.
If the Hogs have a good run in this tournament, Lockhart’s outing will be something you can point to as getting it off to a good start.
“Lael Lockhart had a great game,” Van Horn said. Tthe key was keeping ahead and he was on a roll.”
The Hogs will play either Ole Miss or Vanderbilt on Thursday night at 8 p.m.
Van Horn on Hogs playing good game against Georgia with no mistakes
Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn was impressed with Lockhart on the mound, team’s play overall in 13-2 win over Bulldogs.
Lockhart after strong performance with different preparation routine
Hogs pitcher Lael Lockhart didn’t get to follow his regular routine getting ready for Georgia, but had one of his best outings.
Smith’s homer part of Hogs’ breakaway 13-2 win in tournament
Arkansas’ Cullen Smith (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) on exploding in second inning offensively, then backing it up defensively in win.
TRUSTING THE PROCESS: Dudley Dawson, Hawgs Illustrated-Whole Hog Sports
Tye and Dudley on meeting Michael Jordan, dressing his own way, his relationship with Mike Anderson and more!
With something on line each week, motivation not hard for Hogs
Hawgs Illustrated’s Clay Henry says Dave Van Horn’s motivation is easier when they have something to play for and this team wants to be No. 1.
Deifel on not letting excitement for Super Regional slow Hogs’ play
Arkansas coach Courtney Deifel said Wednesday she’s been working to keep the emotions to get too high for Arizona series.
