(Walt Beazley / Arkansas Communications)
Live Blog: Razorbacks run-rule Omaha in big win
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Baum-Walker Stadium where we expect a slightly cool, but mostly sunny day. There will be a breeze coming from the north all game long with just enough of a gust to a few, but definitely not all the balls that might have a chance to get out today.
The Hogs are coming off their first series loss of the year down in Baton Rouge against No. 1 LSU, but the Hogs did manage to take at least one game against what looked like one of the best teams in college baseball in a long time.
The Razorbacks will try to get back on track by getting a win over one of the few teams in all of college baseball to have a winning record over Arkansas. Omaha is 2-1 against Arkansas.
In fact, last year's 15-3 win over the Mavericks was the first ever for the Razorbacks.
On paper, this doesn't look like much of a match-up with Omaha coming in 7-10. However, these mid-week games have been quite the adventures for the Razorbacks this season.
After all, this is a team that has wins over Nebraska and Kansas State this season.
A win over Omaha would break the longest home winning streak of 14 games with Van Horn at the helm.
Where are they ranked?
Dave Van Horn on Hogs' win over LSU
Dave Van Horn on Hogs' win over LSU
STARTING PITCHER
ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS
Ben Bybee, RHP
6'6", 235
Overland Park, Kan. [Blue Valley Southwest HS]
OMAHA MAVERICKS
Charlie Bell, RHP
6'5", 230
Olathe, Kan. [Fort Scott CC]
Arkansas Starting Line-Up
Omaha Starting Line-Up
I'll be covering the McDonald's All-America game this evening, so without further ado, I turn you over to Andy Hodges to carry everyone through the evening's festivities.
1st inning (Top)
We are under way and Bybee's first two pitches resulted in outs. Omaha goes down in eight patches. That didn't take long.
ARKANSAS 0, OMAHA 0
Mid-Inning Break
BLACK'S TWEET HAS RAZORBACK FANS HOPEFUL,
BUT IS THERE REALLY A CHANCE?
1st inning (Bottom)
Tavian Josenberger gets a walk and Kendall Diggs a solid single to right field. Jared Wegner struck out, but the catcher dropped the pitch and his throw to first hit Wegner, but he was still out because first was occupied. Both runners advanced and one came home on Jace Bohrofen's sacrifice fly to left field. A ground-out by Peyton Stovall ended things.
ARKANSAS 1, OMAHA 0
2nd inning (Top)
Bybee gives up a single, then a walk before a sacrifice moved a couple of Mavericks' runners into scoring position and a single by Devin Hurdle brought a run in. A wild pitch scores another run before getting the final two outs after a visit to the mound by pitching coach Matt Hobbs.
OMAHA 2, ARKANSAS 1
Mid-Inning break
FILM ANALYSIS RAISES MAJOR CONCERNS ABOUT ARKANSAS WIDE RECEIVERS
2nd inning (Bottom)
One-out Reese Robinett and Parker Rowland were followed by a walk to John Bolton, loading the bases and Josenberger worked a walk to tie the game. Diggs gets a pitch-clock walk to bring in another run (yeah, they will call it in non-conference games). Wegner got the fourth straight walk and third with the bases loaded and Omaha goes to the bullpen bringing in Kai Ruem, who hits Bohrofen with his second pitch (his second RBI and he doesn't have an official at-bat). Stovall drove across the last run of the inning on a ground-out to shortstop before Jones got called out on a strike.
ARKANSAS 6, OMAHA 2
3rd inning (Top)
Bybee is gone after giving up a walk and a double. Gage Wood comes on in relief. He gets the Mavericks out in order.
Mid-Inning break
THREE HUGE NAMES IN TRANSFER PORTAL
WITH TIES TO ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS
3rd inning (Bottom)
Omaha brings in another pitcher after Robinett reaches on an error, then Rowland gets a walk. Both runners move into scoring position on a balk when the pitcher fell down in the middle of a pitch, then Bolton delivered a two-RBI single. Josenberger hit a massive homer on the top of the Hunt baseball building. The Hogs keep rolling with a single by Diggs was followed by Bohrofen and Stovall getting hits and adding another run. The Mavs finally got a double play to bring it to a merciful ending to the inning. Hogs get seven runs in the inning and Omaha's pitcher fell down on the mound to summarize things.
ARKANSAS 13, OMAHA 3
4th inning (Top)
We finally get a little speed to the game as Omaha goes down in order with Wood looking good for now.
Mid-Inning break
SEC ROUND-UP: TROUBLE IN PARADISE ALREADY
DOWN IN COLLEGE STATION BETWEEN FISHER, PETRINO?
4th inning (Bottom)
The Hogs keep the pressure going with back-to-back singles by Josenberger and Diggs adding another run. Wegner hits a line shot to center field that is horribly mis-played, bringing home two more runs, then Bohrofen delivers another run on a fielder's choice ground-out. Omaha finally ends the inning.
ARKANSAS 16, OMAHA 3
5th inning (Top)
Ben McLaughlin in to pitch and sits the Mavericks down in order for a fairly easy inning.
Mid-Inning break
THE BIGGEST REASON EVERYONE FEARS THE SEC IN BASEBALL
5th inning (Bottom)
The Hogs get a screaming line shot by center field by Bolton for a double, but it's the only hit in the inning and he stays there.
ARKANSAS 0, OMAHA 0
6th inning (Top)
Hogs go to Christian Foutch on the mound and one batter reaches on an error, but no more runs score and we are probably looking at a quick ending.
Mid-Inning break
WHAT VAN HORN HAS DONE IS NOTHING SHORT OF MAGIC
6th inning (Bottom)
Bohrofen gets a hit and a walk, but they can't get home and Omaha turns a double play and three outs for the Hogs and this game is over.
ARKANSAS 0, OMAHA 0
7th inning (Top)
Parker Coil on the mound for the Hogs, gets a couple of quick outs, then hits a batter and gets the third out to end the game.