Calling the Hogs

TEMPE, Ariz. - Junior Brett Eibner forced extra innings with a two-out home run in the bottom of the ninth and freshman D.J. Baxendale pitched six fabulous innings of relief to lead the No. 15 Arkansas Razorback baseball team in the second game of the Tempe Super Regional on Sunday night at Jim Brock Ballpark, but their efforts came up short as the Arizona State Sun Devils defeated the Hogs 7-5 in 12 innings.

The home run for Eibner was his 22nd of the season which matches the second most by a Razorback in a single season and the second game-tying bomb in as many years in the postseason. Eibner also hit the home run in the bottom of the ninth against Virginia at the College World Series to force extra innings in that epic contest. Arkansas (43-21) ends its season at the NCAA Super Regional.

It is the first time in school history that the Razorbacks played in back-to-back Super Regional series since the system was adopted in 1999. Arizona State (52-8) advances to the College World Series with the victory for the second consecutive season.

In the second 12-inning game in as many nights, Arizona State hit its fourth home run of the game, this one off the bat of Drew Maggi, his only hit of the game, off Razorback reliever T.J. Forrest to propel the Sun Devils to Omaha.

For Arkansas to get to the point where Eibner could hit the game-tying home run in the ninth, Arkansas got an unbelievable performance from Baxendale who pitched a season long 6.1 innings and allowed just one run on four hits.

For the second straight game, Arizona State was the first team on the scoreboard after Zach Wilson opened the second inning with a home run down the left field line. The Sun Devils would build on that lead with a pair of home runs in the third inning to make it a 4-0 game.

Riccio Torrez connected for a two-run shot to left center and was followed by Wilson who hit his second of the game, this one to right-center field.

Arkansas would cut the Arizona State lead in half with just one hit in the bottom of the fourth inning. Zack Cox led off with a single to left field and was followed by a one out walk to Andy Wilkins.

After getting the second out of the inning, Arizona State starter Merrill Kelly began to get wild and hit both Bo Bigham and James McCann loading the bases and then allowing one run to score. Matt Vinson worked a walk on a 3-2 pitch to bring another run across the plate and make the score 4-2.

The Razorbacks scored again in the fifth to make it a 4-3 game as they inched back into the contest. Cox doubled to left field with one out and scored two batters later when Wilkins lined a ball over the second baseman and into the right-center field gap.

Solid pitching through the middle innings by Arkansas starter Drew Smyly and reliever Baxendale spurred the Arkansas comeback.

An error to open the seventh inning would hurt the Razorbacks as it allowed the Sun Devils to once again take a two-run lead. The error was followed by a walk and a sacrifice bunt which placed runners at second and third with one out. A sacrifice fly to center scored the lone ASU run, making the score 5-3 with two-plus innings left.

The Razorbacks would not go down without a fight as they rallied in both the seventh and eighth innings, but unfortunately would only get one run out of the excitement.

In the seventh Arkansas would put runners on first and second with one out, but a base running gaff and a close play at the plate on a fly out to right field ended the threat. In the eighth back-to-back hits by Bigham, a double down the left-field line, and McCann scored one run to make it 5-4 going into the ninth.

The game would end with Cox improving his school record for hits in a season as he collected three on the night to bring his single season total to 102. He is the first Razorback record 100 hits in a year and with the season completed, he also set Arkansas' single season record for batting average, hitting .428.

Also in the record books was Smyly's six strikeouts which bring his season total to 114. Smyly is the sixth Arkansas player to record 100 strikeouts in a single season and ranks fifth on the Razorback single season list.

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Bo Bigham had four hits to lead the No. 15 Arkansas Razorback baseball team, but after 11-plus innings, the Razorbacks would fall to No. 1 Arizona State in the first game of the Tempe Super Regional at Jim Brock Ballpark, 7-6.

Arkansas (43-20) must defeat the Sun Devils (51-8) on both Sunday and Monday if it wishes to advance to its second College World Series in the last two years.

A walk and hit batter was the start that Arizona State needed in the bottom half of the 12th inning to rally and win on Saturday night. With one out and two on, Deven Marrero would line a single into the left-center field gap and score the game's winning run after a four-plus hour contest.

Arizona State jumped out to the early lead in the second inning, capitalizing on an Arkansas error on a potential double play ball, and scoring one unearned run. A leadoff walk was followed by a chopper to Mike Bolsinger who made an athletic play to stab the ball, but his throw to second was high and wide and allowed the lead runner to advance to third. A single by Raoul Torrez through the left side scored the Sun Devils run, but solid pitching by Arkansas' starter got him out of the jam by striking out the next hitter and getting the next two to fly out to right field.

Walks in the third inning came back to hurt the Razorbacks as the Sun Devils scored two more to increase their lead to 3-0. With one out in the inning a pair of walks surrounded a single and loaded the bases. Another single, this one by Deven Marrero through the right side scored two runs and brought the pro-ASU crowd to its feet. A strikeout ensued followed by Bolsinger's third walk of the inning, but a ground ball to Tim Carver at short ended the rally with three runners stranded on base.

Arkansas put together a rally of its own in the fourth, picking up three off Arizona State starter and first-round draft pick Seth Blair. Brett Eibner began the inning with a walk and moved to second on a single by Andy Wilkins that may have been caught had the center fielder not misjudged the fly and let it fall in front of him. Bigham delivered a hit off the base of the wall which scored Eibner and moved Wilkins to third. With one out, James McCann was hit by a pitch and Matt Vinson walked on five pitches with the bases loaded to make it a 3-2 game. Tim Carver tied the score at three when he bounced a ball to third and the Sun Devils failed to turn a double play allowing Bigham to score.

Arizona State made it three innings in a row with a score in the fourth, this time of Arkansas reliever Jeremy Heatley, as they pushed another unearned run across the plate. Back-to-back singles opened the frame, but a strike out-caught stealing by the Razorbacks on the next batter appeared to get Arkansas out of what could have been a big inning for the Sun Devils. Arizona State's next batter would hit a towering fly ball to short right field which fell to the ground and allowed one run to cross the plate to make it a 4-3 Arizona State lead.

The Razorbacks took their first lead of the game in the top of the fifth with a pair of runs on three hits by the middle of the order. Zack Cox opened the inning with a double to left-center and scored when Eibner hit a shot down the left-field line past a diving third baseman. With one out Bigham picked up his third hit and second RBI of the game with a single up the middle to score Eibner and give the Hogs a 5-4 edge.

After a scoreless bottom of the fifth for Arizona State, Arkansas took a two-run lead when freshman Matt Vinson greeted Sun Devil relief pitcher Brady Rodgers by pounding the first pitch he threw over the wall in right-center field for his third home run of the season. The long ball was the first of the game by either team and gave Arkansas a 6-4 lead.

Arizona State returned the home run favor in the bottom of the sixth when Kyle Calhoun pulled a line drive over the right-field fence to once again make it a one-run game, 6-5, with three innings to play.

The Sun Devils would threaten again in the bottom of the seventh after a pair of walks put two runners on base with two outs. Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn would go to the bullpen and bring in Jordan Pratt to get the final out of the inning and his first batter, Drew MacPhee would single to left field. Collin Kuhn would field the ball on the run and throw a strike to home plate to nail the would-be game-tying run to end the inning. The assist by Kuhn is his ninth of the season.

After once again putting runners on in the eighth, Arizona State capitalized in the ninth after a single through the right side opened the frame. Andrew Aplin would move from station to station all the way to third with two outs bringing MacPhee to the plate. MacPhee chopped a 1-2 pitch to the third-base side and would beat out the throw to first allowing Aplin to score and tie the game at six as the game moved past the three-and-a-half-hour mark.

In the first inning, Cox made school history when he set the record for hits in a single season. The second batter of the game, Cox pulled a ball through the right side of the infield to set the record which he had been previously tied for with former Razorback Matt Erickson (1996). It was the 98th hit of the season for Cox and the 76th single which is also an Arkansas single-season record. Cox ended the contest 2-for-5 with a single and a double.

The Razorbacks and Sun Devils continue their series on Sunday with Arizona State playing for a chance to advance to the College World Series at 9 p.m. central. Arkansas sophomore Drew Smyly gets the ball for the Razorbacks in the must-win contest.

FAYETTEVILLE—Arkansas baseball head coach Dave Van Horn can’t quite figure out Razorback starting pitcher Mike Bolsinger.

When announcing a potential starter for the Saturday night opener at the Tempe Super Regional, Van Horn said he wasn’t sure what kind of performance the team would get from the senior.

It could be the Bolsinger that has picked up four road wins while posting a 0.90 ERA in 30 innings of work—or the one who has a 1-3 record with a 8.04 ERA in performances at home.

“I know who is probably going to pitch—Bolsinger,” Van Horn said. “Which Bolsinger it is we don’t know. Mike has had great outings this year and most have come on the road.”

Bolsinger, who was taken by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 15th round of the MLB Draft, has stepped up for the Razorbacks when the team needed it the most on the road this season.

When the Razorbacks were battling for the Western Division title down the stretch, the McKinny, Texas, native pitched eight innings of shutout baseball while striking out 11 on the road.

The week after that Bolsinger allowed just one earned run over eight innings against Vanderbilt during the last Southeastern Conference series of the year, picking up his fourth road win in four starts.

After being drafted lower than expected last year in the 33rd round of the draft, Bolsinger had a decision to make. But heading to the big leagues last year just didn’t work out.

“That played on him mentally last year,” Van Horn said. “He got over it and has another outing left—hopefully two. I think where he got drafted this year is where he should have been taken last year, which is still a mystery to me.”

But Bolsinger made it clear at the start of the year he came back for his last year to finish school and to bring the Razorbacks back to the College World Series.

He will get that opportunity when he faces No. 1 Arizona State—who are advancing to the Super Regionals for the fourth straight season—this weekend in a best of three series where he pitches best—on the road.

“It’s that time of the year,” Van Horn said. “You either win two or go home—and we don’t want to go home.”

He didn't have his best stuff during the Fayetteville Regional, when he allowed seven runs and nine hits pitching 4.1 innings and forced an elimination game for Arkansas.

But Bolsinger’s next appearance will be at Packard Stadium, the same site he pitched two shutout innings against the Sun Devils in 2008 while striking out four during a 7-4 loss.

The experience of facing the national top seed in Arizona State four times in recent seasons will provide confidence to Bolsinger and the Razorbacks.

“You know what you are getting into when you play them four times in the last two years,” Van Horn said. “We know some players there still. It helps a little bit knowing we have played well against them.”

The program fired 15-year head coach Pat Murphy just weeks before the season. But the Sun Devils then responded to start the season with a school-record 24 straight wins under Tim Esmay, who was a former player and assistant at the university.

“They’ve rallied around coach Esmay,” Van Horn said. “I think they went into the season with a little chip on their shoulder and something to prove. They’ve kind of banded together and have had a tremendous season.”

But for Bolsinger, he could be pitching in the right venue—on the road—to continue his success this season for the Razorbacks.

“I don’t have any idea,” Van Horn said of finding a reason for Bolsinger's road success. “But we need him to step up this weekend if we have a chance to win this thing.”

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Tempe Super Regional

Saturday, June 12

Game 1 – Arizona State vs. Arkansas – 8 p.m. on ESPNU

Sunday, June 13

Game 2 – Arizona State vs. Arkansas – 9 p.m. on ESPN2

Monday, June 14 (if necessary)

Game 3 – Arizona State vs. Arkansas – 6 p.m. on ESPN2

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Scouting the host:

No. 1 Arizona State Sun Devils (50-8, 20-7 Pac-10)

Last 15 games: 12-3 record

How they advanced: won NCAA Tempe Regional, beating Milwaukee and then Hawaii twice.

Team average: .341

Team ERA: 3.10

Statistic of note: Arizona State ranks third nationally in staff ERA, behind Texas and UCLA, and ninth nationally with 130 stolen bases.

FAYETTEVILLE―Razorback senior TJ Forrest emerged into the locker room with encouragement after Arkansas suffered a difficult 10-7 loss Sunday night to the Cougars.

The Benton, La., native told the team to not worry, as he said he would help close out the Fayetteville Regional with solid pitching performance.

And he delivered on the promise by picking up the win during a 7-2 victory over Washington State, pitching 5.1 innings while allowing four hits, one earned run and striking out four.

“We had a down feeling after wanting to close it out,” Razorback catcher James McCann said. “We were trying to get over it in the locker room and then TJ walks in and says, ‘Don’t worry, fellas. I got this.’ He told me last night he was going to come out and have a good day.”

Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said he wanted Forrest―with his ability to bounce back and his experience―to start the game. But Van Horn just didn’t think the relief pitcher would last as long as he did.

“We didn’t expect him to pitch that long,” Van Horn said. “We were hoping just for three. But he looked like he had good stuff and was throwing harder in the fourth than the first.”

Making just his fifth start of the season, Forrest said he wanted to just attack hitters and get as many outs as he could on the mound after throwing 80 pitchers Friday during a 19-7 win over Grambling State.

“I knew I wasn’t going to go very far, so I tried to keep the ball down,” Forrest said. “I just tried to eat up some innings while striking some guys out―more than I usually do.”

Forrest helped the Razorbacks (43-19) secured a Super Regional bid for the second straight year, as the team will travel to face the top seed in the NCAA Tournament―Arizona State (50-8).

The Diamond Hogs opened up offensively in the first inning off Washington State starter Paris Shewey, who allowed the first three hitters of the game to reach base while Razorbacks Brett Eibner, Andy Wilkins and McCann picked up RBIs to take a 3-0 lead.

Arkansas short stop Tim Carver and outfielder Collin Kuhn, who was named the most valuable player for the regional, then picked up RBIs with back-to-back hits in the third inning, which pushed the advantage to 6-1.

“Really when Collin goes, we go,” Van Horn said. “He saw the ball good and he had a great tournament with power, speed and defense.”

Washington State tagged Forrest (8-0) with an unearned run in the fourth inning when Arkansas made three errors to start the inning. The Cougars, while down 6-2, chased Forrest from the game with a runner on third base during the fifth inning.

But Razorback top starter Drew Smyly took the mound and stranded the Cougar by inducing back-to-back outs, which included a strike out of Washington State designated hitter Matt Fanelli to end the scoring threat.

“Smyly deserves everything because he is one of the best we have faced,” said Fanelli, who hit a home run in the second inning. “Their pitching staff did a really good job of mixing things up and keeping us off balance. All of them were pretty good.”

Washington State head coach Donnie Marbut said he felt Forrest and his performance was a big factor in the elimination game.

“Honestly, I thought if we could hold them to seven runs we’d beat them,” Marbut said. “Credit their guy Forrest, he was strong. I’m just really proud of our boys. They went out and gave it their best.”

While eating a breakfast with the team, Van Horn had player after player tell him they were ready to pitch or play―it didn’t matter if they had to throw on a days rest or play through injury.

“I had a really good feeling coming into the night,” Van Horn said. “These guys really wanted to win. People were willing to do whatever it took to play. I’m really proud.”

And Van Horn said the pride extended to Forrest, who stepped up making his start and helped lead the Razorbacks to the victory.

“It all started with TJ on the mound,” Van Horn said. “He mixes it up and throws strikes. They hit a couple ball hard. But we got off to a good start. It was our night.”

Tempe Super Regional

Saturday, June 12

Game 1 – Arizona State vs. Arkansas – 8 p.m.

Sunday, June 13

Game 2 – Arizona State vs. Arkansas – 9 p.m.

Monday, June 14 (if necessary)

Game 3 – Arizona State vs. Arkansas – 6 p.m.