TAT: Hogs Fall Short of 3rd Straight Title

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

The Arkansas women’s lacrosse club team won their regular season league championship this year, but lost to Iowa State in the league tournament championship game 12-7 Saturday.

If the Razorbacks had won, it would have been their third consecutive Central Plains Women’s Lacrosse League championship, a feat that has never been accomplished.

Despite the loss, Arkansas still had a successful season, finishing 7-2 overall in the regular season and 7-1 in league play.

The president of the club, senior goalie Andie Schenk, did not play lacrosse until her freshman year of college when she joined the team at the suggestion of a friend. Schenk points to the 16-15 double overtime loss to Iowa State April 7 as a turning point for her play at goalie.

With 20 seconds remaining in regulation and the score tied, Iowa State had a penalty shot directly in front of the goal, but Schenk saved it. Of Iowa State’s 42 shots on goal, only 16 got by her.

“It was the craziest game I’ve ever played,” Schenk said. “I didn’t play goalie until my sophomore year, so I’m still developing as a goalie and that game was a pivotal moment for me.”

Schenk ended the season first in the league with a .526 save percentage.

A pair of sophomores from St. Louis also helped Arkansas to the regular season championship.

Offensively, sophomore Ellen Lampe led the way with 16 goals and 19 points, tied for second and third in the league, respectively. She also had an impressive .89 goals scored percentage.

“Pretty much every shot she takes, she scores,” Schenk said. “She’s been vital to our success.”

Sophomore Kelsey Foshage was one of the Razorbacks’ leading defensive players.

“She’s always right there. I know I can count on her for everything,” Schenk said.

The team occasionally plays games in the fall, but primarily they play in the spring, traveling and playing three or four weeks per season.

They compete against other teams in the CPWLL, which includes Missouri, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri State, Creighton and Iowa State.

The winner of the CPWLL league tournament advances on to play the winner of the North Central Women’s Lacrosse League tournament for a spot in the national tournament. This year, the national tournament is in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Joining the team for the first time costs $75 the first semester and $50 the second semester, while returning members must pay $50 each semester.

Even if you have never played lacrosse, Schenk said it is a great sport to start playing, especially for former high school athletes, as she was a softball player.

“We’re a really fun and laid-back team,” Schenk said. “We’re super competitive, but we have fun at practice.”

TAT: 5 Keys to a Hog Win Over Aggies

This article originally appeared in the April 18, 2013 issue of The Arkansas Traveler.

1. Hit the Ball

The most basic aspect of the game isn’t always simple. In the first game of the LSU series, Arkansas only had four hits and lost 3-1. A few more hits would have led to more runs, and in a two-run game, that could have been the difference between winning and losing the series.

In the first game of the Nebraska doubleheader Tuesday, Arkansas was no-hit for the first time in school history and lost 3-0. Also, they have been shutout in three of their last eight games.

It is very rare for a team to win without getting a hit and impossible to win without scoring a run, so hitting coach Todd Butler must get batters hitting again and knocking in runs.

2. Forget Last Eight Games

Arkansas is 2-6 over the last eight games, dating back to the April 6 loss at Alabama. Along with the three shutouts, their ERA has risen from 1.57 to 1.77 during the stretch.

The Razorbacks need to put these games behind them and move forward with the rest of the season. In 2009, Arkansas had a similar stretch, going 2-8 to end the regular season. This stretch also included losing two out of three games to LSU at Baum Stadium.

However, that year, the Razorbacks rebounded, won two games in the Southeastern Conference tournament and then made it to the College World Series.

If they dwell on these past eight games, they will continue to struggle and could lose to a Texas A&M team that is only 6-9 in SEC play. If they put these games behind them, as they did in 2009, the Razorbacks could get right back on track.

3. Cut Down On Errors

Also during this eight-game stretch, Arkansas has committed 19 errors, an average of 2.38 per game. Of those 19 errors, 15 of them have come in losses.

On the season, Arkansas is 17-2 when committing one or less errors in a game. However, when they commit two or more, their record is 8-12. Clearly, there is a correlation between how well they play defensively and whether or not they win.

Also, Arkansas’ fielding percentage coming into the week was .957, which was 234th out of 296 Division I teams. Their overall team ERA was 1.77 entering the week, the best in the NCAA, but these errors have led to 35 unearned runs.

If these runs were factored into their ERA, it would only be 2.67. It is important for Arkansas not to give Texas A&M any extra runs this week because they are already scoring over four earned runs per game. Those extra runs could be the difference in a one or two-run game.

4. Strong Starting Pitching

How well Arkansas’ starting pitcher performs has been a good indicator of whether they won or lost in their 15 SEC games so far this season. In the Razorbacks’ six losses, the starting pitcher has lasted five innings or more only once and they have a combined ERA of 6.65.

In their nine wins, the starting pitcher threw less than five innings only one time and they have a combined ERA of 1.25. They also average twice as many strikeouts in wins (5.6) than in losses (2.8).

The starters will also be aided by Texas A&M senior Mikey Reynolds missing the series because of an injury. Reynolds is the Aggies’ leading hitter, with a .394 batting average.

If Arkansas’ pitchers throw at least five innings before turning the game over to the bullpen, they will have a much better chance of winning.

5. Jump on A&M’s Starters

Texas A&M has only one pitcher that has started a game in all five of their SEC series, sophomore Daniel Mengden. Outside of him, five other pitchers have combined to start the other 10 games, and understandably so.

While Mengden has a 1.87 ERA against SEC opponents, the other starters have a 6.93 ERA. Twice this season, the Aggies’ starter has failed to make it out of the first inning and seven times they have given up three or more runs.

Senior Kyle Martin has the second most SEC starts for Texas A&M, with three, but has a 7.71 ERA and given up 26 hits in 16.1 innings of work against SEC opponents. The Razorbacks need to jump on these pitchers early and get their bats going, after being no-hit by Nebraska Tuesday.

Once they knock out the starters, they should be able to continue hitting off of Texas A&M’s bullpen, which has an ERA of 5.31 in SEC play.

TAT: 9 Razorbacks Eligible for the NFL Draft

This article originally appeared in the April 16, 2013 issue of The Arkansas Traveler.

Several former Razorbacks hope to hear their name called at this year’s NFL Draft in New York City.

The draft begins April 25 at 7 p.m. on ESPN with the first round, continues with the second and third rounds April 26 at 6:30 p.m. and concludes with the fourth through seventh rounds April 27 at 11 a.m.

Here’s a look at some of the former Razorbacks that could be selected.

Tyler Wilson

The draft prospect that everyone seems to be talking about is quarterback Tyler Wilson. After an impressive junior season in 2011, Wilson struggled in 2012.

His completion percentage, passing yards and touchdowns decreased, while his interceptions increased. Also, he has been criticized for his footwork. On ESPN’s Jon Gruden Quarterback Camp, Gruden called Wilson the “Arkansas Ostrich” because of his poor footwork.

Despite these factors, he is still projected to be selected Friday. Josh Norris of NFL.com rates Wilson as the No. 1 quarterback in the draft, but has him projected in the third round.

He is the No. 5 quarterback and projected to be a second-round pick according to CBSSports.com. He is also the highest graded Razorback on NFL.com with an 83.5 grade.

Dennis Johnson

Running back Dennis Johnson impressed NFL scouts his senior year by rushing for 5.5 yards per carry and eight touchdowns.

Norris rates him as the No. 6 running back in the class and projects him to be a fifth-round selection, but notes that he needs to fix his fumbling problem.

Johnson’s speed and size are similar to LaMichael James of the San Francisco 49ers and he could go in the third to fourth round, said Matt Miller, a reporter for BleacherReport.com. NFL.com gave him a 70 grade. 

Knile Davis

Knile Davis is another Arkansas running back that could be selected during this year’s draft. Davis has battled injuries since high school, but his athletic upside has scouts intrigued.

He was one of six Razorbacks invited to the NFL Combine and he made the most of his time there. He ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash and had 31 reps in the bench press, both of which were second best among the running backs.

According to CBSSports.com, Davis is the No. 19 running back in the draft and is projected to be taken in the seventh round. NFL.com gave him a 60.4 grade.

Other

Several other former Razorbacks are also making noise as potential draft picks. The highest rated of these remaining players is offensive guard Alvin Bailey.

CBSSports.com projects Bailey to be a third-round pick, while NFL.com gave him a 67 overall grade.

Wide receiver Cobi Hamilton is also expected to be taken in this year’s draft, after having a breakout senior season.

NFL.com gave him a 72.9 grade. Hamilton has the size of an NFL receiver but lacks the speed. According to CBSSports.com, he is the No. 17 wide receiver and will be a fourth-round selection.

Tight end Chris Gragg battled injuries last season and struggles in the blocking game, but scouts still think he has a chance in the NFL because of his pass catching and route running ability.

He is the No. 9 tight end and projected to be a fifth to sixth-round pick by CBSSports.com.

Other draft eligible Razorbacks are outside linebacker Alonzo Highsmith, punter Dylan Breeding and defensive tackle DeQuinta Jones.

Highsmith could be a “late-round pick” and has a 52.4 grade, according to NFL.com.

Breeding was tied for the fastest specialist at the NFL Combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.74 seconds. He is rated as the No. 9 punter in the class. Jones received a 53.2 grade on NFL.com.

TAT: Hogs Drop Series to No. 2 Tigers

This article originally appeared in the April 15, 2013 issue of The Arkansas Traveler.

The Razorbacks dropped two out of three games to No. 2 LSU this weekend. It was the Hogs’ first Southeastern Conference series loss since losing two of three to Mississippi State in the opening series.

LSU took the first game of series 6-2 Friday.

During the first four innings, the game was a pitchers’ duel, and both teams were scoreless.

Sean McMullen, a junior for the Tigers, broke the tie in the fifth inning with a three-run home run.

The Tigers added to their lead the next inning with a two-RBI single by junior Ty Ross.

Arkansas finally got on the board in the seventh inning when sophomore Eric Fisher hit a two-run home run to pull the Razorbacks within three. However, that was as close as they would get.

Three errors in the top of the ninth allowed the Tigers to add another run.

Junior Barrett Astin picked up his second loss of the season, giving up three earned runs on five hits in 5.2 innings of work.

LSU sophomore Aaron Nola pitched a complete game, allowing only two earned runs on four hits while striking out 10.

The Razorbacks evened the series Saturday with an 8-3 victory.

Again, the game began as a pitchers’ duel in the first three innings, but Arkansas broke it open in the fourth. They scored four runs on a three-run home run by junior Jake Wise and an RBI-single by freshman Tyler Spoon.

Wise tacked on another RBI in the fifth on a sacrifice fly and the Razorbacks added three runs in the seventh. Sophomore Brett McAfee walked with the bases loaded to score one, then senior Jacob Mahan knocked in two runs on a double down the left field line.

That was plenty of scoring for Arkansas’ starter, junior Ryne Stanek. Stanek went 6.2 innings, giving up no runs on three walks, five strikeouts and four hits.

LSU’s starter, junior Ryan Eades, earned his first loss of the season, dropping to 7-1. He went four innings and gave up five earned runs on eight hits and three walks. Wise’s home run was the first he had allowed all season.

The rubber game of the series went 10 innings Sunday before LSU won 5-3.

Arkansas struck first, scoring a run in the first inning on a Spoon RBI-single. LSU got on the board in the third, with three RBI by a pair of freshman. Mark Laird got an RBI fielder’s choice, followed by two-run home run by Alex Bregman.

The Razorbacks responded with a pair of RBI by a freshman of their own. Jordan Farris led off the third with a home run and added an RBI-single in the fourth. It was his first start in SEC play.

“I’m proud of (Farris). He’s a good kid,” head coach Van Horn said. “I thought he had a good game.”

After the fourth, both pitching staffs settled down and didn’t allow a run the next five innings, forcing Arkansas’ third Sunday extra-inning game.

“It looked like it was going to be crazy,” Van Horn said. “It became a game that was decided by the bullpens. Our bullpen was outstanding and so was theirs.”

Ross led off the 10th for the Tigers with a double and used a sacrifice bunt and sacrifice fly to score and take the lead. Laird followed the run with an infield single, when it appeared he ran out of the baseline to avoid junior Dominic Ficociello’s tag.

However, he was called safe, and Van Horn came out of the dugout to argue with the umpire. Van Horn was ejected.

“If you go out of the baseline to avoid a tag, you’re out. It’s simple,” Van Horn said.

Laird eventually scored on an RBI-single by senior Raph Rhymes, adding an insurance run for the Tigers.

Despite getting a bunt single by sophomore Brett McAfee in the bottom of the 10th, the Razorbacks came up empty and lost 5-3.

“I thought it was a pretty well-played ball game,” Van Horn said. “No one really gave each other anything.”

The Razorbacks return to action Tuesday and Wednesday with a two-game midweek series in Lincoln, Neb., against Nebraska. First pitch Tuesday is at 6:35 p.m. and will air on the Big Ten Network.