TAT: Hogs Sweep Rain-Shortened Series

This article originally appeared in the April 29, 2013 issue of The Arkansas Traveler.

The Arkansas baseball team won a pair of low-scoring games in Athens, Ga., before the final game of the series was cancelled because of rain.

Arkansas won Friday’s game with a 2-0 pitcher’s duel between junior Barrett Astin and Georgia junior Patrick Boling.

Astin won the duel, lasting eight innings, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out eight batters on 100 pitches. Boling only threw six innings and gave up one earned run on three hits and a walk. He also collected four strikeouts.

After giving up a pair of hits and a walk in the first inning, Astin settled in and got out of the bases loaded jam on a fly out. From the second inning on, Georgia did not advance a runner past first base until junior Colby Suggs came in to close out the game in the ninth.

“I thought Barrett was outstanding,” head coach Dave Van Horn said. “Once he got through the (first) inning, he kind of came in and regrouped. We were worried that we’d have to take him out in the second inning, but we never had to talk to him again.”

Suggs picked up the save by getting Georgia freshman Jess Posey to strike out with runners on second and third.

The Razorbacks picked up their runs in the third and eighth innings.

Sophomore Brian Anderson had two of Arkansas’ three hits of the game, including an RBI-single in the third inning. Junior Jake Wise had their other hit, as well as an RBI in the eighth, when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Game two of the series was another pitcher’s duel, featuring junior Ryne Stanek and Georgia freshman Sean McLaughlin. Arkansas won 2-1.

It was scoreless through six innings before the Bulldogs got on the scoreboard with a sacrifice fly by senior Kyle Farmer in the seventh.

The Razorbacks responded with a pair of runs in the eighth.

Senior Jacob Mahan led off the inning with a double and Wise followed him with an RBI-single. After a sacrifice bunt advanced Wise to second, sophomore Joe Serrano knocked him in with a single to center.

Stanek tossed 6.2 innings, allowing one earned run on seven hits, followed by 2.1 one-hit innings by three Razorback relievers. Suggs earned his seventh save of the season, while sophomore Jalen Beeks picked up his fifth win. Stanek received a no-decision.

“I can’t remember the last time we’ve come back and won a game after being behind in the sixth inning,” Van Horn said. “The pitching staff got us home from there.”

Georgia got their first complete game of the season, as McLaughlin went the distance, allowing two earned runs on five hits and striking out five.

These were the first Southeastern Conference games of the season in which Arkansas has not committed an error, as well.

“The defense was great,” Van Horn said. “The defense has really stepped it up. We made a lot of nice plays in the outfield.”

Sunday’s game was cancelled because of inclement weather.

“We’re disappointed that we didn’t get to play, but the positive from the weekend is that we won two games and helped ourselves in the standings,” Van Horn said.

The Razorbacks improved their record to 29-15 overall and 13-7 in the SEC, which is second in the SEC West, behind LSU.

The Hogs will return to action Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. against Missouri State.

TAT: Passion is the Standard for Many True Sports Fans

This article originally appeared in the April 25, 2013 issue of The Arkansas Traveler.

My girlfriend was mortified when the umpire ejected me from her high school softball game Friday.

While I had not intended to get kicked out (all I yelled was, “Go check the rule when you get home tonight!”), I was not at all ashamed. After the game, the other parents and players respected me and greeted me like a hero, but my girlfriend wouldn’t even look at me.

Naturally, this upset me, so I apologized and asked for forgiveness, but it was useless. She wouldn’t listen to me. While consoling me, one of the parents told me not to worry and that I couldn’t help it because I was “passionate.”

That’s how my grandfather and father are; it runs in the family.

When she said this, it made total sense. The more I thought about it, the more I began to realize that this type of fan is a true fan. A fan fueled by “passion.”

What is passion?

Well, first of all, let’s establish what passion is NOT.

Passion is not rooting for the Yankees because they have 27 World Series titles. Passion is not rooting Alabama because they have won three national titles in four years. Passion is not rooting for the Miami Heat because they bought the best players and put them on one team.

A passionate fan is not a bandwagon fan. A passionate fan is one that sticks by their teams no matter their record, their coach or any other factor.

If you are a passionate fan, a win by your team makes a bad day good and a loss makes a good day bad.

Being a passionate fan means yelling at umpires, officials or referees, whether you are at the game in person, watching it on TV or listening to it on the radio. It means referring to your team as “we” and “us,” even though you aren’t a player or coach.

Of course, being a passionate fan isn’t easy, not at all. It is an emotional investment that many people sell out on after a few years of disappointment or don’t buy into in the first place.

I am only 19 years old and a freshman in college, but I have found several gray hairs on my head.

My only explanation for this is that being a passionate fan of Springdale High, my alma mater, the Arkansas Razorbacks, my current school, and the Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Cardinals, my favorite professional teams, has finally caught up to me.

The amount of emotion a true fan puts into their teams should make them physically tired after watching them play. Heart problems possibly developing down the road should be a real concern.

Is this emotional investment really worth it, especially with the amount of disappointment that comes along with those teams?

Absolutely.

No loss will ever trump the euphoria I felt standing in War Memorial Stadium with “Pour Some Sugar on Me” blaring over the PA and sugar cubes flying everywhere after Arkansas beat No. 6 LSU to clinch a spot in the Sugar Bowl in 2010.

No loss will ever trump the pride I felt standing in Bud Walton Arena after Arkansas beat No. 2 Florida this year or No. 4 Oklahoma in 2008 or No. 7 Texas in 2009.

No loss will ever trump the exhilaration I felt standing in Baum Stadium after Arkansas beat Kentucky on a walk-off grand slam by James McCann on Easter Sunday in 2010.

True fans should be too passionate to lose their love for their teams.

TAT: 17 Hogs on the Baseball Farm

This article originally appeared in the April 24, 2013 issue of The Arkansas Traveler.

Sam Bates – LF – Idaho Falls Chukars (R, Kansas City Royals) 

In his first season in the minors, left fielder Sam Bates played in five games for the Idaho Falls Chukars, the Rookie ball affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. He batted .222 with one home run and three RBIs. The Chukars’ season does not start this year until June 20.

DJ Baxendale – RHP – Fort Myers Miracle (A, Minnesota Twins)

After dominating Rookie and Class A, the Minnesota Twins promoted pitcher DJ Baxendale to the Class A Advanced Fort Myers Miracle. In 17 appearances last year, he collected two saves in 18.2 innings pitched, allowing just two earned runs on 13 hits for a 0.96 ERA.

He also had 31 strikeouts and only two walks. So far this season, Baxendale is 2-0 in three starts with a 1.04 ERA. He has three walks and 15 strikeouts in 17.1 innings and opponents are batting .164 against him.

Michael Bolsinger – RHP – Mobile BayBears (AA, Arizona Diamondbacks)

Entering his fourth season in the minors, pitcher Michael Bolsinger was 14-11 with a 2.95 ERA, 79 walks and 210 strikeouts. This season, his second in Class AA, Bolsinger has a 1.93 ERA, two walks and six strikeouts in one appearance.

Zack Cox – 3B – Jacksonville Suns (AA, Miami Marlins)

Third baseman Zack Cox was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals organization to the Miami Marlins organization for relief pitcher Edward Mujica at last season’s trade deadline.

Most of his first three seasons were spent in Class AA and AAA. In those three seasons, he batted .285 with 23 home runs and 112 RBIs in 247 games. This season, he owns a .340 batting average and has four doubles, a triple, five RBIs and 11 walks.

Geoffrey Davenport – LHP – Mahoning Valley Scrappers (A, Cleveland Indians)

Left-handed pitcher Geoffrey Davenport began his minor league career last year with the Class A Short-Season Mahoning Valley Scrappers, posting a 2-3 record and 3.41 ERA. He also had 20 walks and 33 strikeouts. The Scrappers’ 2013 season doesn’t start until June 17.

Brett Eibner – CF – NWA Naturals (AA, Kansas City Royals)

Since being drafted in the second round by the Kansas City Royals in 2010, center fielder Brett Eibner has risen from Class A to Class AA. However, he continues to struggle with striking out.

As of April 22, Eibner has struck out 277 times in 211 career games. Entering the season, he was batting .203 with 27 home runs and 84 RBIs, which was good enough for the Royals to send him to their AA affiliate Northwest Arkansas Naturals in Springdale, Ark. to start the season.

After starting the season 0-for-20, Eibner has turned it around, earning Texas League Player of the Week honors April 22 for his 11-for-26 performance the previous week. He is now batting .200 with two doubles, two home runs and three RBIs for the Naturals.

Dallas Keuchel – LHP – Oklahoma City RedHawks (AAA, Houston Astros)

Left-handed pitcher Dallas Keuchel got a taste of the major leagues last year, starting 16 games and going 3-8 with a 5.27 ERA, and is on the Astros’ 40-man roster this year, but he started the season at Class AAA Oklahoma City.

Entering this season with a 25-29 record and 3.79 ERA in four seasons, Keuchel has appeared in four games for the RedHawks this season, allowing four earned runs in 10.2 innings.

Daryl Maday – RHP – Richmond Flying Squirrels (AA, San Francisco Giants)

Entering this season with a 41-43 record and 16 saves with a 3.78 ERA, pitcher Daryl Maday has moved into a bullpen role for Class AA Richmond.

He has appeared in seven games this season and allowed three earned runs on seven hits and four walks, while striking out eight in 7.2 innings of work.

James McCann – C – Erie SeaWolves (AA, Detroit Tigers)

After being named a midseason All-Star in the Florida State League at Class A Advanced Lakeland last season, the Detroit Tigers promoted catcher James McCann to Class AA Erie, where he begins this season.

Entering this season, he was batting .226 with three home runs and 46 RBIs in 123 games. This season, he is batting .339 with five doubles and eight RBIs.

Blake Parker – RHP – Iowa Cubs (AAA, Chicago Cubs)

Right-handed pitcher Blake Parker appeared in seven games for the Chicago Cubs last season, but posted a 6.00 ERA, so he began this season at Class AAA Iowa.

Now in his seventh minor league season, Parker owns a 3.02 career ERA and 61 saves. This season, he has only allowed two earned runs and three hits in seven innings.

Matt Reynolds – SS – St. Lucie Mets (A, New York Mets)

MLB.com ranked shortstop Matt Reynolds as the New York Mets’ No. 18 minor league prospect before this season and he has shown improvement from his first season.

He is batting .278, compared to .259 in 2012, and has two doubles, a triple, a home run and 11 RBIs. Last season, he hit three home runs and collected 13 RBI in 42 games.

Kyle Robinson – RF – Great Falls Voyagers (R, Chicago White Sox)

Right fielder Kyle Robinson has spent the previous two seasons in Rookie ball and Class A, posting a .255 batting average, hitting seven home runs and collecting 68 RBIs in 110 games.

He will begin this season in Rookie ball with the Great Falls Voyagers, whose season starts June 20.

Nolan Sanburn – RHP – Vermont Lake Monsters (A, Oakland Athletics)

In his first year in the minors, pitcher Nolan Sanburn was 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA for the Class A Short-Season Vermont Lake Monsters.

He walked eight batters and struck out 19 in 18.2 innings. Sanburn will be with Vermont again this season. The Lake Monsters’ season starts June 17.

Nick Schmidt – LHP – Colorado Springs Sky Sox (AAA, Colorado Rockies)

Since being drafted in the first round in 2007, pitcher Nick Schmidt has struggled to live up to expectations.

Entering this season, Schmidt was 28-30 with a 4.52 ERA, 171 walks and 366 strikeouts. However, he showed some promise last season, going 5-3 with a 3.29 ERA for the Class AA Tulsa Drillers and earning Texas League All-Star honors.

This season, he is 1-1 with a 3.07 ERA, eight walks and 14 strikeouts in 14.2 innings of work.

Jess Todd – RHP – Toledo Mud Hens (AAA, Detroit Tigers)

Right-handed pitcher Jess Todd has had success in six minor league seasons and has appeared in two major league seasons.

However, he is 0-1 with a 7.62 ERA in MLB games, so the Detroit Tigers started him at Class AAA Toledo this season. Todd has allowed five hits, two earned runs and struck out six in 7.1 innings this year.

Duke Welker – RHP – Indianapolis Indians (AAA, Pittsburgh Pirates)

Entering the season on the Pittsburgh Pirates 40-man roster, pitcher Duke Welker is 2-0 and has yet to allow an earned run in 10 innings at Class AAA Indianapolis.

He has struck out 12 batters and only walked three, while giving up two hits. In his first five seasons in the minors, he was 13-35 with a 4.29 ERA and 18 saves.

Andy Wilkins – 1B – Birmingham Barons (AA, Chicago White Sox)

After being named an All-Star in Rookie ball in 2010 and Class A Advanced in 2011, first baseman Andy Wilkins has struggled in Class AA.

Last season, he batted .239 for Class AA Birmingham and he is batting .254 this season. In 320 career minor league games, Wilkins has 46 home runs and 204 RBI.

TAT: SEC Players Expected to Go First in NFL Draft

This article originally appeared in the April 24, 2013 issue of The Arkansas Traveler.

The NFL Draft begins with the first round Thursday at 7 p.m. on ESPN. The Southeastern Conference is predicted to lead the way with the most players selected, again, and will have many players taken on day one of the draft. Here’s a look at a few of these players.

Luke Joeckel – Texas A&M – OT

Texas A&M’s Luke Joeckel is atop many mock draft boards. ESPN’s Mel Kiper predicts the Kansas City Chiefs to select Joeckel number one overall, as does NFL.com’s Josh Norris, SBNation.com’s Dan Kadar, CBSSports.com’s Rob Rang and BleacherReport.com’s Matt Miller.

After earning second-team All-Big XII honors in 2011, he was named a first-team All-American in his first season in the SEC. Over his three-year career, he has protected Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel and 2012 first-round pick Ryan Tannehill.

Also, Joeckel has played in three games against Arkansas, helping the Aggies average 37.7 points and 556 yards per game against the Razorbacks. In those three games, Arkansas could only manage two sacks.

Sharrif Floyd – Florida – DT

Many draft experts predict the Oakland Raiders to select Florida’s Sharrif Floyd third overall. However, Norris projects him to fall to the Tennessee Titans at No. 10 overall.

Floyd was a member of the Freshman All-SEC team in 2010 and earned first-team All-SEC honors in 2012. He was also a third-team All-American last season.

During his three years with the Gators, he collected 115 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three blocked field goals and one forced fumble.

Dee Milliner – Alabama – CB

The Crimson Tide have several players that will go in the first round, but cornerback Dee Milliner is projected to be selected the highest.

Most experts predict he will be picked sixth overall by the Cleveland Browns, but he could also fall to No. 10 to the Titans. Milliner ended his career with first-team All-American honors in 2012 and a career 133 tackles, six interceptions returned for 107 yards, 34 pass break-ups and 40 passes defended.

In three games against the Razorbacks, he had six tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass breakup and one interception.

Chance Warmack – Alabama – OG

Chance Warmack is another highly-touted prospect from Alabama. He could go anywhere from No. 7 overall to the Arizona Cardinals (Kadar) to No. 16 overall to the St. Louis Rams (Norris and Miller).

During his four seasons at Alabama, he blocked for 2009 Heisman Trophy-winner Mark Ingram, 2012 first-round pick Trent Richardson and potential 2013 first-round pick Eddie Lacy.

He also played on an offensive line that averaged 37.3 points and 560.3 yards per game against the Razorbacks over the last four seasons.

Barkevious Mingo – LSU – OLB

The New York Jets are expected to select LSU’s Barkevious Mingo either at No. 9 or No. 13 overall.

Mingo has been named to the All-SEC second-team the last two seasons and has a career 119 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, 27 quarterback hurries and 11 passes defended.

In three games against Arkansas, he had nine tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks and three quarterback hurries.

Sheldon Richardson – Missouri – DT

Another SEC player expected to be picked in the first round is Missouri’s Sheldon Richardson. Coming off honorable mention All-Big XII honors in 2011, he earned second-team All-SEC honors last season.

During his career, he collected 112 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, nine quarterback hurries and four forced fumbles. He could go anywhere from No. 14 overall to the Carolina Panthers (Kadar and Miller) to No. 19 overall to the New York Giants (Rang).

Jarvis Jones – Georgia – OLB

Following back-to-back first-team All-American seasons, Georgia’s Jarvis Jones seems to be a perfect fit for the New Orleans Saints’ new 3-4 defense.

The Saints have the 15th overall selection. Last season, Jones led the NCAA with 14.5 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss and led the SEC with seven forced fumbles. During one season at USC and two at Georgia, he had 168 tackles, 45.5 tackles for loss, 28 sacks and nine forced fumbles.