Calling the Hogs

FAYETTEVILLE―Arkansas outfielder Brett Eibner is officially back―both at the plate and on the field.

After missing two straight games because of a hand injury, the Houston, Texas, native finished 4-for-5 with five runs, three home runs and seven RBIs during a 19-7 win against Grambling State at the Fayetteville Regional.

“He hit the ball extremely well the last couple of days in practice,” Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. “The ball is jumping off the bat. It’s that time of the year when players play. That’s what it’s all about.”

The junior hit a two-run home run in his first plate appearance then took two bases and scored from second base on a sacrifice fly in the second inning. Eibner then followed that with a three-run home run and hit another in his last plate appearance in the eighth.

“I felt great out there,” Eibner said. “More than anything I was excited to be out there and play after taking two games off.”

But Eibner wasn’t the only Razorback to go deep, as the Razorbacks hit a school record nine home runs in front of 6,305 fans at Baum Stadium. Arkansas first baseman Andy Wilkins, outfielder Collin Kuhn and catcher James McCann all hit two home runs in the power display.

“I’ve never seen that before,” said Wilkins, who hit the record-setting home run. “That was just unbelievable for our offense.”

Eibner was one of three Razorbacks in the first inning to hit a home run, as Arkansas jumped out to an early 6-0 lead. The advantage was just what Van Horn said the team needed without ace Drew Smyly on the mound.

“When you don’t throw your number one or two guy in game one, it makes you a little stressed out,” Van Horn said. “It’s a little nerve racking. I’m glad we got out to the early lead.”

Senior TJ Forrest started the game and allowed four earned runs while striking out four in 4.2 innings for Arkansas in front of 6,305 fans.

“TJ came out and for three or four innings did a really good job of moving the ball around in the strike zone,” Van Horn said. “I’m just proud of him because it was hot and tough on a pitcher.”

Razorback reliever Sam Murphy picked up his second win of the season while pitching 2.1 innings while striking out two and allowing one earned run.

“Murphy did a heck of a job throwing strikes,” McCann said. “He had the fastball working on both sides of the plate. He has done a heck of a job for us.”

After being down 11-1 heading into the fifth inning, the Tigers rallied and scored three runs by using RBI singles from first baseman Steve Kletke and outfielder Mychal Roby. Grambing State then added another run in the sixth to put pressure on the Razorbacks.

“A never say die attitude is what these guys have,” Tiger head coach James Cooper said. “We got off to a bad start. We knew if we could swing the bats we could get back in the game.”

But the offense wasn’t enough to overcome the early innings when Grambling State starter Odingo Davila allowed eight earned runs in 1.2 innings of work.

“It started off shaky,” Roby said. “The big inning in the first really killed us. We put something together in the middle innings. But we really needed to eliminate the big inning.”

The Tigers left 11 runners on base during the game, including several bases loaded situations that Razorback bullpen was able to work around.

“There lineup is very scrappy,” Van Horn said. “They just kept battling and had the bases loaded and a swing away from getting right back into it.”

Davila picked up his fifth loss of the season while allowing nine hits and two walks while facing 13 Razorback hitters.

“He couldn’t keep the ball down in the zone,” Cooper said. “They put some good swings on some pitches. When you can’t keep the ball in the park, you can compete in games like that.”

After averaging less than three runs a game in the last nine games, Van Horn said it was nice to see the offense use the whole field and take advantage of the hitting opportunities presented.

“I felt like we were in good hitters counts,” Van Horn said. “You can get geared up when you are ahead. We didn’t swing at boarder line pitches.”

But for Eibner, getting back on the field healthy―and picking up the postseason win―was one step closer to the ultimate goal.

“It was exciting for me to get back out there,’ Eibner said. “I don’t think I’ve hit three home runs before. But I’d rather be in Omaha winning a national championship.”

FAYETTEVILLE―Arkansas baseball head coach Dave Van Horn can finally do something he hasn’t in a little while.

He can write down on the line up card that both All-Southeastern Conference hitters in third baseman Zack Cox and outfielder Brett Eibner will be able to play when Arkansas plays Grambling State at 2:05 p.m. Friday.

But because of games missed, it will only be determined on the field how ready the duo is heading into the first game of at the Fayetteville Regional.

“Are they going to be 100 percent or are they going to be rusty a little bit?” Van Horn said. “Time will tell. But it’s nice knowing I get to write those guys’ names down in the lineup.”

After the No. 15 Razorbacks (40-18) dropped two straight and were swept out of the SEC Tournament, Van Horn said Arkansas is getting closer to being at the batting order that has been successful.

“The the team sees it,” Van Horn said. “They know we have a chance to get back to the lineup we have used all season. Sometimes getting a groove back takes a while but having them in the lineup brings more to the table.”

Eibner, who is battling an injury after getting hit in the hand during the regular season, took swings and has had positive results.

“It felt real good,” Eibner said. “I haven’t been doing too much, so getting some swings on the field was good. I haven’t been in the cage in a little bit so it took a couple rounds to get back into it.”

The injured ribs of Cox have kept him limited with swinging opportunities, but the Lousiville, Ky., native said he will be glad to actually get back on the field and play.

“It’s been tough on me resting and watching everyone else play,” Cox said. “I knew resting was best for the team. The team isn’t happy about the two losses at the tournament, but we are ready to move forward.”

And having both sluggers in the lineup will be a big part of the moving forward process when senior TJ Forrest (7-0, 2.76 ERA) takes the mound against the Tigers (22-30). Forrest said he wouldn’t be taking Grambling lightly despite the team winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference for the first time since 1985.

“We are just going to take it like any game,” Forrest said. “We want to get a lot of ground ball outs and fly outs. You can’t take them lightly because they are not a power house.”

Grambling ranks seventh in the nation with 138 stolen bases this season, which will be a big factor Tigers head coach James Cooper said to upsetting the Razorbacks.

“We don’t want to get caught up playing the name,” Tigers head coach James Cooper said. “We want to go out there and play our brand of baseball. We have been able to tax teams and create errors.”

Grambling started the season with nine straight losses―but it feels they are a whole new team after finding momentum heading into postseason play.

“The guys have been focused on the goal and task at hand,” Cooper said. “We got off to a slow start. But it’s not about the start, it’s about the finish.”

When senior infielder Steve Klestke found out that the Razorback were not throwing their top starter and All-SEC pitcher in Drew Smyly, it wasn’t a surprise. But Klestke said he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Everybody has taken us lightly all year,” Klestke said. “We were picked to be dead last in our conference. Nobody wants to give us credit. We are going to give it all us.”

Klestke said the Tigers felt they had the firepower offensively to win a conference title for the first time in decades. But now the team is in uncharted territory―something the team is relishing.

“We are not coming here content with what we have done so far,” Kletke said. “We expected to win the conference championship. We are now seeing what we can do at the next level.”

FAYETTEVILLE―It’s been a long wait―but Grambling State is back in a NCAA Regional.

After taking four straight games in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, the Tigers are advancing to postseason play for the first time since 1985.

The drought snaps when Grambling takes the field at 2:05 p.m. when it faces the top-seed in Arkansas. But after starting the season with nine straight losses, the Tigers are ready for the challenge.

“We’ve got to come in focused,” Grambling right fielder Mychal Roby said to the News Star. “I have no clue about the other teams, but I’m sure they’re pretty tough. We’ve just got to make the most of the opportunity.”

Grambling State Tigers (22-33, 10-14 SWAC), fourth seed

Last 15 games: 10-5 record

How they received the bid: won conference tournament

Team average: .302

Team ERA: 8.51

Statistic of note: Only two pitchers with more than three innings pitched―Adrian Turner and Odingo Davila―have an ERA of 6.00 or lower.

The Washington State Cougars are no stranger to Fayetteville or the Arkansas Razorback baseball program.

Cougar head coach Donnie Marbut said the team learned a tremendous amount last year at the Norman Regional, where the team lost to the Diamond Hogs. Washington State also traveled and started the season last year by being swept by the Razorbacks.

But after making it to back-to-back regionals for the first time since 1987, Marbut said the team is looking for more than just an early exit after the learning experience.

“The experience is going to help because we have been there before,” Marbut said. “We are going to win. That’s the whole expectations. We know how to do that from last year.”

After battling each week with Pac-10 teams, eight of which earned regional bids, the Cougars expect to be ready for the weekend ahead.

“It’s been an absolute grind every weekend to fight a game or maybe two,” Marbut said. “It’s been a tough year. But I’m so happy for this team.”

Washington State Cougars (34-20, 15-12 Pac-10), second seed

Last 15 games: 12-3 record

How they received the bid: NCAA at-large

Team average: .293

Team ERA: 4.57

Statistic of note: Sophomore outfielder Derek Jones finished third in home runs hit in the Pac-10 with 11 this season.

When the Kansas State baseball team learned of a regional bid, Wildcat head coach Brad Hill couldn’t help but think about the upper classmen that made the appearance possible.

Senior Adam Muenster hit .434 for the season, earning first team All-Big 12 honors, and senior catcher Daniel Dellasega had a .333 average while making a shift to the starting role.

“This is all about our seniors,” Hill said. “Adam Muenster and Daniel Dellasega came up huge as team leaders, even though Muenster was playing a new position and Dellasega was the No. 1 catcher for the first time in his career.”

Senior starter Ryan Daniel, who missed time this season with an injury, was even a big part of the team while recovering.

“He is a big part of this even though he was injured for part of the season,” Hill said. “He was the biggest cheerleader on our bench during a time that we needed him to be.”

Kansas State Wildcats (36-20, 14-12 Big 12), third seed

Last 15 games: 6-9 record

How they received the bid: NCAA at-large

Team average: .323

Team ERA: 5.44

Statistic of note: Sophomore center fielder Nick Martini helped led the Wildcats at the plate, hitting .416 with 53 RBIs this season.

NCAA FAYETTEVILLE REGIONAL

Friday, June 4

Game 1: No. 1 Arkansas (40-18) vs. No. 4 Grambling (22-30) - 2:05 p.m.

Game 2: No. 2 Washington State (34-20) vs.. Kansas State (36-20) - 7:05 p.m.

Saturday, June 5

Game 3: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser - 2:05 p.m.

Game 4: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner - 7:05 p.m.

Sunday, June 6

Game 5: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser - 2:05 p.m.

Game 6: Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner - 7:05 p.m.

Monday, June 7

Game 7: Game 6 Winner vs. Game 6 Loser (if necessary) - 7:05 p.m.

Home sweet home.

After the No. 15 Razorbacks ended the season with four straight road games and then appearance at the Southeastern Conference Tournament, Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said the team is glad to be back―and hosting a regional.

“It seems like we’ve been on the road for the past few weekends,” Van Horn said. “And it’s been a battle with the injuries and trying to get guys healthy. We’re looking forward to the weekend. We’re glad to be hosting a regional.”

It was announced Arkansas would host Washington State, Kansas State and Grambling this weekend at the fifth Fayetteville Regional in program history. Although the Razorbacks have only advanced to a super regional just once while hosting, Van Horn said playing at home is always advantageous.

“When you go on the road, you just go play,” Van Horn said. “When you are at home, there are more distractions with taking care of the girlfriends and grandmas with tickets. There are more distractions, but we would rather be here.”

In an effort to keep the players in top form mentally, Van Horn said the Razorbacks will be using hotel during the week, which the team hasn’t done before in previous years.

Fourth-seeded Grambling (22-30), which won the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship for the first time since 1985, will face Arkansas on Friday at 2:05 p.m.

Washington State (34-20) is set to play Kansas State at 7:05 p.m. and will face the winner of the previous game.

“Our kids are well prepared,” Washington State head coach Donnie Marbut said. “They have worked hard and deserve an opportunity to play in the postseason against the best teams in the country.”

INSIDE THE REGIONAL:

Seeding:
1. Arkansas (40-18)
2. Washington State (34-20)
3. Kansas State (36-20)
4. Grambling (22-30)

The Razorbacks are hosting for the fifth time in program history, as they have had a regional at Fayetteville in 1999, 2004, 2006, 2007 and now 2010. Arkansas was one of eight teams in the SEC to advance to the postseason.

HOOVER, Ala. - The No. 12 University of Arkansas baseball team dropped a 5-4 decision to No. 4 Florida Thursday afternoon at the 2010 SEC Tournament at Regions Park. The loss marked the Razorbacks' second setback of the double-elimination event. Collin Kuhn had a two-run triple to pace Arkansas' offensive output and Drew Smyly tossed five relief innings against the top-seeded Gators.

"First off, hats off to Florida because they made some really great plays," head coach Dave Van Hornsaid. "Alex (Panteliodis) pitched very well for them and got them off to a good start. They got three runs with two outs; I think four of the five runs were with two outs. I am hoping our big hits come next weekend because we didn't have any this weekend. We got one and it was given to us a little bit by the sun."

Florida (41-14) plated the first run of the ballgame with a score in the bottom of the first. Nolan Fontana led off the inning by drawing a walk and moved around to third base on consecutive groundouts. Austin Maddox drove in the run with a two-out single to right field to give his team an early 1-0 advantage.

A pair of run-scoring singles by the Gators in the bottom of the third pushed their lead to three runs. As it was in the first inning, the damage was done with two outs. After a single by Fontana and a walk to Matt den Dekker, Arkansas starter Mike Bolsinger struck out Preston Tucker for the second out but gave up back-to-back RBI base hits to Maddox and Brian Johnson.

Travis Sample posted Arkansas' first hit of the day with a two-out double to left center in the top of the fourth. Florida starter Alex Panteliodis retired the first 11 Razorback hitters prior to Sample's extra-base knock. Monk Kreder followed with an RBI single to drive in the club's first run of the game. Kreder is now riding a seven-game hitting streak.

The Hogs brought Smyly out of the bullpen to start the fourth. The left-handed sophomore retired the first two hitter he faced before giving up consecutive singles to Cody Dent and Fontana. With runners on the corners and two outs, Smyly threw over to first to catch Fontana in a rundown but Dent scored from third before the tag was applied and Florida led, 4-1.

Arkansas (40-18) pulled to within one on the scoreboard with two runs in the top of the fifth. Tom Hauskey led off the inning with a double but was erased as the lead runner on a ground ball but Tim Carver reached on a fielder's choice. James McCann followed by drawing a walk to give the Razorbacks runners on first and second. Kuhn, the Hogs' next hitter, lofted a shot to right field that the defender lost in the sun as the ball found the ground for a two-run triple.

The Gators scored an unearned run in the bottom of the eighth to stretch its lead to 5-3. With one out in the inning, Tucker skied a pop ball that dropped on the infield after a collision between Smyly andAndy Wilkins; Wilkins was shaken up on the play and was replaced by Matt Reynolds at third base. After a fielding error at second and a walk to Johnson, the bases were loaded for Florida. Tucker came in to score on a grounder back to the mound.

Down to the Hogs' final three outs of the SEC Tournament, Reynolds led off the top of the ninth with a single to right field. Brett Eibner made his first appearance of the week as a pinch runner for Reynolds; he moved up to second on a wild pitch by Florida closer Kevin Chapman. Derrick Bleeker moved the runner to third with a ground ball and after Carver was plunked by a pitch, Arkansas had runners on the corners with one out.

James McCann lined a 1-1 offering from Chapman toward the gap in right center, but Jonathan Pigott laid out to make the diving catch. On contact, Carver took off from first and couldn't make it back to the bag before the throw doubled him off. Eibner tagged from third and scored the Hogs' fourth run before the final out was registered.

"I think we fought and gave ourselves a chance to come back and win it against (Kevin) Chapman," Van Horn said. "That was a tremendous play by the right fielder. Hopefully, we will get healed up and play better next weekend."

Arkansas now awaits its postseason fate as the field for the 2010 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship is announced Monday, May 31 at 11:30 a.m. (CT) on ESPN. Regional hosts will be announced Sunday, May 30 at approximately 2:30 p.m. on www.ncaa.com/cws and the BottomLine of the ESPN networks.

HOOVER, Ala. - In a day that belonged to the lower-seeded teams, the No. 12 University of Arkansas baseball team couldn't buck the trend in a 2-0 loss to Vanderbilt on the opening day of the 2010 SEC Tournament at Regions Park.

Bo Bigham was 3-for-4 at the plate, his ninth game of the season with at least three hits, and Jeremy Heatley pitched five shutout innings for the Razorbacks. With the loss, Arkansas (40-17) will face top-seeded Florida in an elimination game Thursday. All four lower-seeded teams won Wednesday.

The matchup will begin approximately 30 minutes after the completion of the day's first game between Auburn and South Carolina, which is set for a 9:30 a.m. start. Arkansas' game against the Gators will be televised by CSS and carried by CST (Ch. 119 in Northwest Arkansas).

Making his first start of the career, Heatley worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the first inning. He walked two of the first three hitters he faced and gave up a base hit to right field off the bat of Aaron Westlake. With just one down and the bases full of Commodores, Heatley struck out Curt Casali and got Andrew Giobbi to fly out to get out of the inning without allowing a run.

Arkansas threatened in the bottom of the second with no outs and runners on first and second. Monk Kreder led off the inning with a single through the right side and Travis Sample was plunked by a pitch from Vanderbilt starter Sonny Gray. The two base runners were stranded, however, as Gray retired the next three Hogs in order. Kreder has hit safely in six straight and 10 of Arkansas' last 11 contests.

With two outs in the bottom of the third, the Razorbacks tallied back-to-back singles by Bigham and Andy Wilkins. Bigham advanced to third on Wilkins' base knock and Arkansas had runners on the corners for Kreder. Gray got Kreder to roll over a pitch and ground out to second base to end the inning and keep the Razorbacks off the scoreboard.

Heatley tossed a career-high five innings, holding Vanderbilt (41-15) scoreless on three hits. The senior right hander walked four and registered a career-high seven strikeouts, including a called third strike to Jason Esposito on his 100th, and final, pitch of the ballgame.

The Commodores posted the first run of the contest in the top of the sixth off reliever Sam Murphy. The tournament's fifth-seeded team scored without benefit of a hit. Westlake drew a walk to lead off the inning and was sacrificed to second by Casali. He moved over to third on a groundout and eventually crossed the plate on a wild pitch to give Vanderbilt the 1-0 lead.

In his second inning on the mound, Murphy worked around a leadoff infield single to keep Arkansas within one run. After a sacrifice bunt by Mike Yastrzemski and a two-out walk to Anthony Gomez, Murphy induced a come-backer to the mound which he gloved and tossed to first for the third out of the seventh.

Arkansas put a man in scoring position with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Kyle Atkins singled through the right side and swiped second base, his fourth steal of the season, with Collin Kuhn at the plate. Gray cut the opportunity short with a strikeout.

Westlake put the Commodores ahead by two with a solo shot to center field in the top of the eighth off DJ Baxendale. The home run for Westlake was his 12th of the season. Baxendale gave up one more hit in the inning but got help from Kuhn to cut down the runner, Andrew Giobbi, trying to stretch the play into a double. Kuhn leads the Razorbacks with six outfield assists.

The Hogs went in order in the bottom of the ninth as Chase Reid closed the game for Vanderbilt to earn his second save of the season.

In the day's earlier action, Alabama defeated Auburn, 7-1; Ole Miss topped South Carolina, 3-0; and LSU beat Florida, 10-6. Play on day two of the 2010 SEC Tournament begins at 9:30 a.m. with South Carolina vs. Auburn, which will be followed by the Florida-Arkansas matchup. Action in the winners bracket will begin at 4:30 p.m.

FAYETTEVILLE—When the Razorback baseball team takes the field against Vanderbilt during the Southeastern Conference Tournament, Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn could feel as if he has a different team.

That’s because he might be without the services of three All-SEC players in third baseman Zack Cox, outfielder Brett Eibner and top starter Drew Smyly because of injuries during the first round of the conference tournament Wednesday night.

“It feels like we have a half-loaded gun,” Van Horn said. “Those are the guys who have been in this program for two years with Zack and three with the others. They are our frontline guys.”

Cox, who is dealing with a back injury caused by a swing during an off-speed pitch against South Carolina, could be ready for regional play while Eibner was listed as day-to-day with a hand injury after getting hit by a pitch two weeks ago.

“I don’t even know if Zack Cox will be available for the tournament,” Van Horn said. “We are trying to get him ready for the regional. Eibner is having some problems with his right hand. The pain has moved around and it could be some tendonitis. But there are no broken bones.”

Razorback top starter Drew Smyly will likely not pitch during the tournament, as he is dealing with a blister and only pitched five innings last weekend because of the injury.

“Smyly developed a little blister and that’s why we pulled him early,” Van Horn said. “It was kind of a precautionary thing. I don’t know if he will pitch at all in the tournament.”

It’s clear the Razorbacks know that a SEC tournament run can happen. But it will take performances from others in the batting order.

“Our situation is that we are a little banged up,” Van Horn said. “We are going to have some guys have three good games—guys that are not our stars. We are going to have to step it up in other places.”

Van Horn said designated hitter and first baseman Monk Kreder could be one of the Razorbacks who steps up entering postseason play, as he finished 4-for-12 with a run and eight RBIs against Vanderbilt last weekend.

“I moved Kreder down in the battling order,” Van Horn said. “He had struggled, but he had a really good weekend. I think they knew Cox was out of the lineup and they needed to really pick it up. They knew we were in trouble if we didn’t get it done.”

Despite the battling injuries to key players, the Razorbacks were able to win two-of-three from Vanderbilt and secure a second-place finish in the Western Division. Van Horn said the series win showed signs of a team turning it around after dropping five straight games before the weekend.

“We went through a little lull and it probably cost us a championship,” Van Horn said. “That’s the way the game works. But I think they are caching a second win. We had a really good weekend and could have won all three games.”

After rushing out to a four-game lead in the division, Arkansas dropped three of its last five SEC series and suffered as a team with finding an identity.

“So many things go on within a team,” Van Horn said. “Some guys could be frustrated because of playing time, another could be a slump in a draft year and this guy is trying to light up a radar gun. It’s just human nature types of things. But the team just finally said it’s about winning and not individual things.”

But with the renewed focus, the Razorbacks still have only piece of hardware atop their wish list—and it involves traveling to the College World Series.

“This team would love to take home the SEC Tournament trophy,” Van Horn said. “It would look nice in the trophy case. But there is only one trophy they really want. It’s going to be tough to get there.”

INSIDE THE TOURNAMENT: The Razorbacks hold a 26-18 series lead over the Commodores, including taking two-of-three last weekend on the road. Game will be played Wednesday night 30 minutes after the end of the LSU and Florida game, which starts at 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday starters: Arkansas Jeremy Heatley (Sr. RHP) 5-0, 4.76 ERA; Vanderbilt Sonny Gray (So. RHP) 8-4, 3.44 ERA.

TV: Comsast/Charter Sports Southeast (CSS), Cox Sports Telvision (CST, Ch. 119 in Northwest Arkansas).

Saturday probable starters: Arkansas Mike Bolsinger (Sr. RHP) 6-3, 4.16 ERA, opponent TBD.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - TJ Forrest pitched six shutout innings and Monk Kreder drove in a career-high four RBI as the No. 14 University of Arkansas baseball team defeated Vanderbilt, 7-5, Saturday afternoon in the regular-season finale at Hawkins Field. Andy Wilkins reached base five times with a pair of singles and three walks and Bo Bigham hit a home run to add to the Hogs' offensive output. With the win, Arkansas (40-16, 18-12 SEC) secures the No. 4 seed for next week's SEC Tournament.