Saturday, May 31, 2014

WHS/HI: Five Keys to Beating Virginia

This article originally appeared on WholeHogSports.com and HawgsIllustrated.com on May 31, 2014.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — A win against Virginia, the host school and No. 3 national seed, Saturday night would put Arkansas in the driver’s seat to win the Charlottesville Regional.
A loss, however, would mean the Razorbacks have to win three straight games to advance to the Super Regionals.
Since 1999, when the NCAA went to the current 16-regional format, 27 teams have won three games in a row after losing the 1-0 game to win the regional. Only eight of those teams were a two-seed or lower and two of them, LSU in 1999 and Cal State-Fullerton in 2004, did it as a two-seed host.
That means only six road teams have won three straight elimination games after losing the first winner’s bracket game.
1. Small-ball
Virginia made a living off of bunts and errors in its 10-1 win over Bucknell Friday afternoon. The Cavaliers had four sacrifice bunts and scored nine unearned runs on four errors by the Bison.
Bucknell had trouble fielding the bunts. After laying down sacrifice bunts in his first two at bats, Nate Irving laid down a third, but the Bison pitcher threw it away and two runs scoring. The error led to Virginia’s seven-run sixth inning that opened up the game.

If Arkansas expects to keep the game close, it must play small-ball and field bunts well.

Click here to continue reading.

WHS/HI: Hogs Win Regional Opener

This article originally appeared on WholeHogSports.com and HawgsIllustrated.com on March 30, 2014.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Last season Arkansas managed only three hits against Bryant in its opening game of the Manhattan Regional and Brian Anderson did not want a repeat performance this year.
Anderson had a pair of RBI hits, including a leadoff home run in the second inning, and the Razorbacks beat Liberty 3-2 to advance to the winner’s bracket of the Charlottesville Regional.
The home run came tied the game after the Flames took 1-0 lead as Arkansas starter Chris Oliver (9-4) struggled with his command.

“It was kind of a momentum shifter for us,” Anderson said. “(By) no means was I trying to hit a home run there, but I just got an elevated fastball, something I could handle, and just put a good swing on it.”

Click here to continue reading.

Friday, May 30, 2014

WHS/HI: Davenport Field Plays to Strengths

This article originally appeared on WholeHogSports.com and HawgsIllustrated.com on May 29, 2014.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – When Arkansas takes the field Friday, it will do so in a ballpark that suits its playing style.
The Razorbacks are a team predominantly reliant on pitching and Virginia’s Davenport Field is a pitcher’s park. Centerfield is 404 feet from home plate, while it’s 332 feet down the lines and 370 feet to the alleys.
Davenport Field used to be even larger, but the left field wall was shortened and moved in 17 feet following the 2005 season.

“It kind of reminds us of our ballpark, maybe more of a pitcher's park,” coach Dave Van Horn said. “Who's to say because Virginia's numbers are incredible.”

Click here to continue reading.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

WHS: Former Hog to Join Arkansas in Charlottesville

This story originally appeared May 28, 2014, on WholeHogSports.com.

FAYETTEVILLE — Scott Heather is a man of opportunity.
When he had an opportunity to play baseball in the SEC, he took it. When he had one to become a coach at the Division I level, he took it, too.
Friday afternoon will present another opportunity for Bucknell’s head coach. The Bison open the Charlottesville Regional against the host school and No. 3 national seed Virginia Friday at 1 p.m. Central.
“We know that it’s possible to win,” Heather said. “Our goal is to not give the other team extra outs or free bases.”
It will be Heather’s first trip to the Regionals as a head coach and the latest stop in a journey as a coach that has deep roots in the state of Arkansas.

Click here to continue reading.

Monday, May 26, 2014

WHS: Notes about the Charlottesville Regional

This article originally appeared on WholeHogSports.com on May 26, 2014.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas will play Liberty Friday night in the Charlottesville Regional. The Razorbacks are the two-seed, while the Flames are the three-seed. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game will air nationally on ESPNU.
Virginia, the No. 3 overall seed, and Bucknell are the other two teams grouped with Arkansas.
Here are some notes about the Regional…

-Arkansas has never played Liberty. The Razorbacks are 1-2 all-time against teams from the Big South Conference, losing a series against Coastal Carolina in 1983.

Click here to continue reading.

Saturday, May 24, 2014

ARPreps: Arkansas High School Baseball State Championships coverage

These stories originally appeared on ARPreps.com on May 23-24, 2014.


On the same day as Arkansas rallied from a 6-0 deficit to defeat Ole Miss 8-7 in the SEC Tournament, Arkansas commit Blaine Knight out-dueled Ole Miss commit Andy Pagnozzi.

Click here to continue reading.

Daniel Sprinkle, the younger brother of Arkansas tight end Jeremy Sprinkle, was named the MVP of the 5A state championship game Saturday afternoon.

Click here to continue reading.


After leaving eight runners on base in the first four innings, Russellville finally broke through in the fifth inning, scoring a pair of runs to beat Marion 2-0 and win the Class 6A state championship.

Click here to continue reading.