FAYETTEVILLE — The Razorbacks have already clinched the Arkansas vs Tennessee series, but are now going for the sweep Sunday afternoon.
Arkansas won the first two matchups by scores of 5-2 and 6-3. The finale is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed on SEC Network-Plus.
LIVE UPDATES — Arkansas vs Tennessee
Pregame Tidbits (Game 3)
Freshman right-hander Ben Bybee will make his second career SEC start on Sunday. He got a couple of quick outs against Alabama a couple of weeks ago, but quickly unraveled and had to be pulled in the first inning.
Tennessee has two of its usual weekend starters available for the finale, with sophomore right-hander Drew Beam (2.52 ERA, 39 1/3 IP) getting the starting nod. Sophomore right-hander Chase Burns (6.10 ERA, 41 1/3 IP) will be available out of the bullpen.
T-1st: Tennessee 0, Arkansas 0
After homering to start the first two games of the series, Dickey went down swinging against Bybee to start Game 3. However, the freshman followed with back-to-back walks of Dreiling and Moore, prompting a mound visit from Matt Hobbs. He responded by getting Burke to fly out to center and Denton to fly out to left. It was a 20-pitch inning for Bybee.
B-1st: Arkansas 3, Tennessee 0
Just as he did yesterday, Josenberger drew a full-count walk to lead off the bottom of the first. After several pickoff attempts, he swiped second. That set up an RBI single by Stovall. He advanced to second on the throw. Bohrofen worked the count full and drew a walk, prompting a mound visit by Tennessee’s pitching coach.
It wasn’t an effective visit, as Beam promptly walked Diggs to load the bases. Slavens then flied out to center for the first out, but it was deep enough to scored Stovall from third and for Bohrofen to tag up to third. With runners on the corners, Cali hit a scorcher (111 mph exit velocity) through the left side for an RBI single. McLaughlin nearly kept it going with a deep fly ball, but the left fielder caught it just before hitting the wall. Rowland looked at strike three to end the inning. It was a 36-pitch inning by Beam.
T-2nd: Arkansas 3, Tennessee 0
Tears led off the second with a double to right-center, but Bybee bounced back with a strikeout of Stark. Scott followed with a full-count walk and then Kendro hit a grounder to third. Cali got the force at second, but Arkansas couldn’t quite turn the double play. With runners on the corners, Dickey hit another grounder to third and Cali’s throw was wide, but Slavens made a tremendous stretch to catch it while keeping his toe on the bag. Tennessee challenged the call, but it was confirmed by replay. It was a 17-pitch inning for Bybee, who is up to 37 through two innings.
B-2nd: Arkansas 6, Tennessee 0
Bolton notched his fourth hit oof SEC play to start the second, hitting a grounder up the middle that the second baseman made a nice sliding stop to get, but his throw took the first baseman off the bag. It’s scored an infield single. Josenberger followed with a walk, but Stovall popped up a pitch right around the plate. The catcher couldn’t find it, but the pitcher caught it. However, the third baseman had also run in, leaving the bag open, so Bolton tagged up on the play. Josenberger also took second as Tennessee scrambled to try to get the out at third.
After Bohrofen struck out, Diggs was hit by a pitch – a play that wasn’t originally called on the field, but was overturned after a challenge by Van Horn. With the bases loaded, Slavens cleared the bases with a triple into the right field corner. That doubles Arkansas’ lead to 6-0 and is it for Beam.
The new pitcher for Tennessee is right-hander Chase Burns. He got Cali to pop out in foul territory to end the inning. That also closes the book on Beam, who was charged with six earned runs on four hits and four walks in 1 2/3 innings.
T-3rd: Arkansas 6, Tennessee 0
Dreiling grounded out to short to start the third and then Moore couldn’t check his swing on strike three. With two outs, Burke got ahead 3-0 before eventually lining out to left. It was a 1-2-3 inning for Bybee, who is at 47 pitches through three innings.
B-3rd: Arkansas 6, Tennessee 0
McLaughlin hit a line drive off the wall in left-center and the ball bounced away from the center fielder, allowing him to coast into third with a stand-up triple. However, Rowland and Bolton followed with strikeouts. With two outs, Josenberger flied out to shallow left, stranding McLaughlin on third.
T-4th: Arkansas 6, Tennessee 2
Bybee plunked Denton with the first pitch of the fourth, got a line drive out by Tears and walked pinch hitter Hunter Ensley on four pitches, prompting a pitching change. The new pitcher for Arkansas is right-hander Dylan Carter.
Carter got Scott to line out to deep center before walking Kendro to load the bases. With two outs, Dickey lined a single into left that drove in two. Dreiling popped out to third to end the inning.
B-4th: Arkansas 6, Tennessee 2
For the fourth straight inning, Arkansas got a runner in scoring position before the first out of the inning, as Stovall drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. Bohrofen was called out on a borderline strike three for the first out and then Diggs’ foul tip was caught by the catcher for another strikeout. With two outs, Slavens grounded out to short.
T-5th: Arkansas 6, Tennessee 2
Carter got a first-pitch ground out to third by Moore and then Burke flied out to deep left, with Bohrofen catching it on the warning track. Denton looked at strike three to end the inning. Carter has thrown 23 pitches through 1 2/3 innings.
B-5th: Arkansas 6, Tennessee 2
Cali flied out to right to start the inning before McLaughlin singled through the right side. However, he was quickly erased by a 6-3 double play on a grounder up the middle by Rowland.
T-6th: Arkansas 6, Tennessee 2
Tears stayed hot with a leadoff single, but Carter erased him by inducing a 5-4-3 double play from Ensley. Scott followed with a single into center, prompting a mound visit from Matt Hobbs. It was an effective visit, as Carter struck out Kendro to end the inning. He’s thrown 41 pitches through 2 2/3 innings.
B-6th: Arkansas 7, Tennessee 2
Bolton drew a walk to start the sixth, but he was thrown out trying to steal second. He had it swiped, but slid through the bag. On the very next pitch, Josenberger hit a line drive off the Hunt Center for a solo home run. Stovall grounded out to second and Bohrofen struck out to end the inning. Burns has thrown 68 pitches in 4 1/3 innings.
T-7th: Arkansas 7, Tennessee 2
Dickey popped out in foul territory, with Cali catching it for the first out. Dreiling then grounded right into the shift, with Cali fielding it on the right side of second base and throwing to first for an easy out. Moore flied out to right to end the inning. Carter is at 52 pitches through 3 2/3 innings.
B-7th: Arkansas 7, Tennessee 2
Burns made quick work of the Razorbacks in the seventh, getting Diggs and Slavens to ground out to second and Cali to ground out to third. He’s at 79 pitches.
T-8th: Arkansas 7, Tennessee 2
Mason Neville replaced Diggs in right field before the inning. Burke led off with a single into left for his first hit of the day. He was promptly erased when Denton grounded into a 4-6-3 double play and then Carter struck out Tears. He’s at 64 pitches.
B-8th: Arkansas 7, Tennessee 2
Now pitching for Tennessee is left-hander Kirby Connell, making his third appearance of the weekend. Hunter Grimes pinch hit for McLaughlin and struck out. The Vols make another change, bringing in left-hander Zander Sechrist. He gave up a single to Rowland and Tennessee makes yet another change. The new pitcher is right-hander AJ Russell. He got Bolton to ground into a 6-3 double play that ended the inning.
B-9th: Arkansas 7, Tennessee 2
Ensley led off the ninth with a single and Scott followed with a line drive that got over Josenberger’s head for a double. That’s it for Carter. The new pitcher for Arkansas is freshman Christian Foutch, who inherits runners on second and third with no outs and a five-run lead.
Griffin Merritt pinch hit for Kendro and looked at strike three for the first out of the inning. Dickey popped out to first for the second out. Dreiling worked the count full before hitting a sharp grounder to second that Stovall handled fo the final out.
FINAL: Arkansas 7, Tennessee 2
BOX SCORE – Arkansas vs Tennessee (Game 3)
Starting Lineups – Arkansas vs Tennessee (Game 3)
| Tennessee Baseball | Arkansas Baseball |
|---|---|
| 1. Jared Dickey – LF | 1. Tavian Josenberger – CF |
| 2. Dylan Dreiling – RF | 2. Peyton Stovall – 2B |
| 3. Christian Moore – 2B | 3. Jace Bohrofen – LF |
| 4. Blake Burke – 1B | 4. Kendall Diggs – RF |
| 5. Zane Denton – 3B | 5. Brady Slavens – 1B |
| 6. Kavares Tears – DH | 6. Caleb Cali – 3B |
| 7. Cal Stark – C | 7. Ben McLaughlin – DH |
| 8. Christian Scott – CF | 8. Parker Rowland – C |
| 9. Jake Kendro – SS | 9. John Bolton – SS |
| Pitching: So. RHP Drew Beam | Pitching: Fr. RHP Ben Bybee |
Pregame Tidbits (Game 2)
Starting left fielder Jared Wegner will miss his third straight game with a hairline fracture in his left thumb. The Razorbacks will use the same starting lineup as Game 1 in his absence.
T-1st: Tennessee 1, Arkansas 0
Just as he did the day before, Dickey led off the game with a solo home run that just got over the wall in right. Tennessee threatened to do more thanks to a walk by Dreiling, but Moore grounded into a fielder’s choice and then things got weird. Burke singled into right and Diggs bobbled the ball, allowing the runners to move to second and third.
Ensley hit a grounder to third and craziness ensued. The runner on third took off for home and got into a rundown. He got back to third safely, but then his other two teammates got into a rundown. When it was all set and done, Burke was out on a 5-2-5-4-3 put out. Merritt grounded out to first to end the inning with only one run scoring.
B-1st: Arkansas 2, Tennessee 1
Josenberger opened the home half of the first with a fantastic 11-pitch at bat. After Stovall flied out to shallow left, Bohrofen unloaded on a pitch from Dollander, crushing it 447 feet for a two-run home run that gave Arkansas a 2-1 lead. Dollanders settled in and struck out Diggs and Slavens to end the inning, but he threw 27 pitches.
T-2nd: Arkansas 2, Tennessee 1
After a fly out by Denton, McEntire issued a one-out walk to Stark, but that was it. Jaslove struck out and Dickey grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.
B-2nd: Arkansas 2, Tennessee 1
Cali flied out to start the second, but then Dollander struck out McLaughlin and Rowland.
T-3rd: Arkansas 2, Tennessee 1
Dreiling lined a double to right-center to start the third and Moore walked, prompting some movement in the Arkansas bullpen. Dylan Carter has started to warm up. However, Burke followed with a line drive right to Bolton, who then ran to second to pull off an unassisted double play because Dreiling was running on contact. Ensley grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the inning. McEntire is at 46 pitches.
B-3rd: Arkansas 2, Tennessee 1
After strikeouts by Bolton and Josenberger, Stovall popped out to third to end the inning. Dollander has retired eight straight, but is up to 56 pitches.
T-4th: Arkansas 2, Tennessee 1
For the first time of the night, McEntire retired Tennessee in order in the fourth. He sandwiched strikeouts of Merritt and Stark around Denton’s line out right to the shortstop. It was a 12-pitch inning for McEntire.
B-4th: Arkansas 2, Tennessee 1
Bohrofen grounded out to first and Diggs grounded out to second before Slavens struck out – the seventh K of the night for Dollander, who has now retired 11 straight.
T-5th: Arkansas 2, Tennessee 1
It looked like McEntire had another 1-2-3 inning, as he got Jaslove and Dickey both to ground out to second and then induced a pop up to shallow left by Dreiling. Bohrofen and Bolton couldn’t track it down, though, and it fell for a cheap double. It didn’t hurt, as Diggs – who has struggled in right – tracked down a foul pop up in the corner, catching it as he crashed into the wall.
B-5th: Arkansas 3, Tennessee 1
Dollander should have retired 12 straight, but Cali’s line drive was dropped by Dickey on the warning track in left. He ended up on second thanks to the E7. On the very next pitch, McLaughlin singled up the middle for an RBI. Rowland struck out, but it was a seven-pitch at bat. Bolton followed by drawing an eight-pitch walk and that was it for Dollander.
The new pitcher for Tennessee is left-hander Kirby Connell. Peyton Holt also entered as a pinch runner for McLaughlin. The runners were stranded on first and second, though, as Josenberger struck out and Stovall flied out to right.
T-6th: Arkansas 3, Tennessee 2
Tennessee immediately got that run back thanks to a leadoff home run by Burke. It was a 385-foot blast into the Hog Pen. McEntire bounced back with strikeouts of Ensley and Denton sandwiched around a 103 mph line drive single off the right field wall by pinch hitter Kavares Tears. Diggs played it perfectly, though, which limited it to a single. That set up the strike ’em out, throw ’em out to end the inning. Rowland made a perfect throw and Bolton made a great tag after the strikeout of Denton.
B-6th: Arkansas 3, Tennessee 2
The new pitcher for Tennessee is right-hander Camden Sewell. He promptly plunked Bohrofen, who then stole second. After Diggs struck out, Slavens drew a walk. While Cali was up to bat, Bohrofen and Slavens executed a double-steal without a throw, putting runners on second and third. Cali worked the count full, prompting a mound visit by the Tennessee pitching coach, and then walked to load the bases.
Reese Robinett pinch hit in the McLaughlin/Holt spot and fouled off the first two pitches of the at bat before striking out. Rowland also struck out, leaving the bases loaded.
T-7th: Arkansas 3, Tennessee 2
Now pitching for Arkansas: freshman right-hander Gage Wood. He got pinch hitter Kyle Booker to look at strike three, but the next pinch hitter, Christian Scott, singled into left. He then stole second before a fly out to left by Dickey. With two outs, a wild pitch moved Scott to third and Dreiling struck out. That sends the game to the seventh-inning stretch.
B-7th: Arkansas 6, Tennessee 2
Bolton was hit by a pitch to start the bottom of the seventh and then stole second. Josenberger laid down a sacrifice bunt to move him to third and Stovall was hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners. After several pickoff attempts to first and a mound visit, Sewell tried a fake pick to first and pick to third, but the ball got by the third baseman. Diggs was able to get up and score on the E1.
A groundout by Bohrofen moved Stovall to third with 2 outs and Diggs hit a single to the left side. The shortstop made a diving stop and nearly got the out, but Diggs beat the throw, giving him an RBI infield single. After Slavens reached on a hit by pitch, Cali singled through the right side for another RBI. Slavens went first to third on the play and that’s it for Sewell.
The new pitcher for Tennessee is right-hander Bryce Jenkins. He struck out Robinett to end the inning.
T-8th: Arkansas 6, Tennessee 2
Wood struck out Moore and Burke to start the eighth inning and then Ensley grounded out to short. It took only 11 pitches.
B-8th: Arkansas 6, Tennessee 2
Rowland grounded out to third. Bolton struck out looking on only two pitch – as strike one was a pitch clock violation. Josenberger grounded out to first to end the inning.
T-9th: Arkansas 6, Tennessee 3
Tears drew a full-count walk to start the ninth. Denton got called out on strikes for the first out. A wild pitch moved Tears to second. Kendro – who entered as a defensive replacement – struck out swinging. Scott fouled off several 0-2 pitches before a wild pitch moved Tears to third. Scott took what looked like strike three, but it was called a ball and the next pitch was wild to bring in a run. He ended up walking on the 13th pitch of the AB, prompting a mound visit by Hobbs. Wood got Dickey to fly out to left to end it.
FINAL: Arkansas 6, Tennessee 3
BOX SCORE – Arkansas vs Tennessee
Starting Lineups – Arkansas vs Tennessee (Game 2)
| Tennessee Baseball | Arkansas Baseball |
|---|---|
| 1. Jared Dickey – LF | 1. Tavian Josenberger – CF |
| 2. Dylan Dreiling – RF | 2. Peyton Stovall – 2B |
| 3. Christian Moore – 2B | 3. Jace Bohrofen – LF |
| 4. Blake Burke – 1B | 4. Kendall Diggs – RF |
| 5. Hunter Ensley – CF | 5. Brady Slavens – 1B |
| 6. Griffin Merritt – DH | 6. Caleb Cali – 3B |
| 7. Zane Denton – 3B | 7. Ben McLaughlin – DH |
| 8. Cal Stark – C | 8. Parker Rowland – C |
| 9. Austen Jaslove – SS | 9. John Bolton – SS |
| Pitching: Jr. RHP Chase Dollander | Pitching: R-Jr. RHP Will McEntire |
Pregame Tidbits (Game 1)
In a bit of a surprising move, Tennessee is not starting Chase Dollander in Game 1. Instead, right-hander Andrew Lindsey – one of the Volunteers’ top relievers – is making his first start of the year. He has a 2.01 ERA in 22 1/3 innings across 12 relief appearances.
T-1st: Tennessee 2, Arkansas 0
On the fourth pitch of the game, Dickey hit a home run that just cleared the wall in right. Diggs might have had a chance to catch it, but he’s not a natural outfielder. Bohrofen probably would have had a better shot at making the play, but he’s in left because of the injury to Wegner. So the ball hit the top of the wall for a home run.
Moore followed with a single up the middle that Stovall got a glove on, but probably wouldn’t have had a play even if he fielded it cleanly. It goes down as an infield single. Burke flied out to right, with Diggs charging in to make the catch on the run, for the first out. Merritt singled to left in the next at bat and Bohrofen bobbled it, allowing Moore to take third. It’s scored an E7.
With runners on the corners, Denton struck out swinging. Then, with two outs and a 1-2 count on Ensley, Hollan was called for a balk. That brought in another run before Hollan struck him out to end the inning. He threw 22 pitches.
B-1st: Tennessee 2, Arkansas 0
Lindsey needed only 14 pitches to retire the Razorbacks in order in the home half of the first. Josenberger put together a nice at bat before grounding out to first and then Stovall and Bohrofen struck out. Bohrofen’s strikeout was looking and on three pitches.
T-2nd: Tennessee 2, Arkansas 0
Ahuna started the second inning with a grounder to third and Cali made a nice play to get him by a step. Hollan thought he had strike three on Stark, and TrackMan indicated it could have been called, but it was called a ball. Instead, in a full count, Stark was hit by a pitch. He was stranded when Scott popped out to second and Dickey popped up in foul territory and Rowland caught it for the final out. It was a 25-pitch inning for Hollan, who is up to 47 for the game.
B-2nd: Tennessee 2, Arkansas 0
On the first pitch of the bottom of the second, Diggs laid down a bunt toward third. Denton charged and tried barehanding it, but didn’t come up with it. It’s a leadoff bunt single for Arkansas.
The Razorbacks dialed up a hit-and-run with Slavens at the plate, but he flied out to center, so Diggs had to retreat. After a strikeout of Cali, Diggs stole second. That’s where he was stranded because McLaughlin took strike three. Three of the Hogs’ four strikeouts so far have been looking. Lindsey is at 27 pitches through two innings.
T-3rd: Tennessee 2, Arkansas 0
Stovall made a tremendous diving catch to snag a soft liner up the middle by Moore. Hollan then walked Burke on four pitches before winning a long at bat against Merritt by getting him to fly out down the left field line, with Bohrofen catching it in foul territory. Denton grounded out to third to end the inning. Hollan is at 63 pitches.
B-3rd: Arkansas 3, Tennessee 2
After taking a pitch that could have been called strike three, Rowland went the other way with a single through the left side. Bolton then hit a soft chopper up the middle that looked like it should have been a double play, but the second baseman’s toss to the shortstop covering the bag wasn’t caught. Rowland was able to take third on the play, so the E6 put runners on the corners. It also prompted a mound visit by Tennessee’s pitching coach.
On the third pitch of Josenberger’s at bat, Bolton took off for second and Stark’s throw was way off line and went into the outfield. The E2 allowed Rowland to score and moved Bolton to third after the stolen base. A few pitches later, Josenberger hit a 384-foot homer to right. The two-run shot makes it 3-2 Hogs.
Stovall followed with a deep fly ball to left-center and the two Tennessee outfielder’s collided on the warning track. However, Ensley – the center fielder – managed to catch it for the first out of the inning. Bohrofen struck out and Diggs flied out to right to end the inning. It was a 21-pitch inning for Lindsey, who’s now up to 48 pitches for the game.
T-4th: Arkansas 3, Tennessee 2
Ensley swung at the first pitch of the fourth and grounded out to short. Slavens made a nice pick on the low throw by Bolton. Ahuna struck out, but fouled off several pitches and made it a seven-pitch at bat. Stark hit a slow chopper to short and Bolton made a really nice play by charging it and firing a strike to first. It’s the first 1-2-3 inning of the day for Hollan, who’s up to 74 pitches.
B-4th: Arkansas 4, Tennessee 2
Slavens hit a hard grounder up the middle that deflected off the pitcher and went right to the second baseman. However, Moore’s throw was low and the first baseman couldn’t pick it. The E4 allowed the leadoff man to reach. Cali followed with a single up the middle, which chases Lindsey.
The new pitcher for Tennessee is left-hander Kirby Connell. He ended up walking McLaughlin after a nice battle, with ball three coming on a pitch clock violation. That loaded the bases for Rowland, who grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. He doesn’t get an RBI, but it did score a run.
With two outs and a runner on third, Tennessee made another pitching change, bringing in right-hander Seth Halvorsen, who is arguably its top bullpen arm. He struck out Bolton to end the inning.
T-5th: Arkansas 4, Tennessee 2
After Scott struck out on three pitches to start the fifth, Dickey hit a first-pitch single through the left side. He was stranded there because Moore struck out (in a nine-pitch AB) and Burke grounded out to second. Hollan is up to 90 pitches.
B-5th: Arkansas 5, Tennessee 2
Josenberger hit a 105 mph line drive, but it was right to the right fielder for an easy out. Tennessee made a nice play to get Stovall, who hit a chopper that required the first baseman going to his right to field and then throwing to the pitcher covering the bag. With two outs, Bohrofen crushed a line drive off the Hunt Center for a solo home run. It was a 356-foot blast with a 24.1 degree launch angle and 104 mph exit velocity.
After a walk by Diggs, Slavens grounded out to first on the first pitch to end the inning.
T-6th: Arkansas 5, Tennessee 2
Merritt struck out to start the inning and Denton followed with a first-pitch sharp grounder to short. Bolton fielded it and his throw was low, but Slavens picked it at first for the second out. Ensley hit a two-out double to left-center, prompting a mound visit by Matt Hobbs. Hollan’s 101st pitch is a line drive by Ahuna directly to Diggs in right. He got a partial standing ovation as he left the field.
B-6th: Arkansas 5, Tennessee 2
After Cali struck out, McLaughlin hit a sharp grounder up the middle that deflected off the pitcher for an infield single. He was replaced by a pinch runner, Peyton Holt, who then stole second. What was essentially a swinging bunt by Rowland moved him to third, but he was stranded when Bolton lined out to right.
T-7th: Arkansas 5, Tennessee 2
Now pitching for Arkansas: left-hander Hagen Smith. Stark and Scott each worked the count full and fouled off several pitches, but they struck out and grounded out to first, respectively. Smith then struck out Dickey to end the inning. He threw 20 pitches.
B-7th: Arkansas 5, Tennessee 2
Josenberger worked the count full before taking strike three. Stovall followed with a ground out to first. That’s it for Halvorsen, who’s thrown 43 pitches. The new pitcher is left-hander Jake Fitzgibbons. He got Bohrofen to fly out to right to end the inning.
T-8th: Arkansas 5, Tennessee 2
Smith needed only 13 pitches to strike out the side against the heart of Tennessee’s order. Moore, Burke and Merritt each went down swinging. He had a little pep in his step as he came off the field. He’s retired all six batters he’s faced, with five via strikeouts.
B-8th: Arkansas 5, Tennessee 2
Now pitching for Tennessee: right-hander Aaron Combs. Diggs fell behind 0-2, but worked the count full before lining a single into center. Slavens flied out to left on the first pitch he saw (the left fielder made a nice sliding catch near the foul line), but Cali worked the count full before getting hit by a pitch. Tennessee challenged the call, but it stood after a replay review.
Holt, who pinch ran for McLaughlin in the sixth, got ahead 3-0, but ended up striking out by swinging at what would have been ball foul. Rowland grounded out to first to send the game to the ninth.
T-9th: Arkansas 5, Tennessee 2
Jared Wegner entered the game as a defensive replacement, going to left field, so Bohrofen could move to right. Denton struck out. Ensley flied out to right. He nearly went 1-2-3 again, but Ahuna’s comebacker went off his glove and Stovall couldn’t field it cleanly off the deflection, giving him a two-out infield single. Stark looked at strike three to end the game. It was Smith’s seventh strikeout and gives him his second save of the year.
FINAL: Arkansas 5, Tennessee 2
BOX SCORE – Arkansas vs Tennessee
Starting Lineups — Arkansas vs Tennessee
| Tennessee Baseball | Arkansas Baseball |
|---|---|
| 1. Jared Dickey – LF | 1. Tavian Josenberger – CF |
| 2. Christian Moore – 2B | 2. Peyton Stovall – 2B |
| 3. Blake Burke – 1B | 3. Jace Bohrofen – LF |
| 4. Griffin Merritt – DH | 4. Kendall Diggs – RF |
| 5. Zane Denton – 3B | 5. Brady Slavens – 1B |
| 6. Hunter Ensley – CF | 6. Caleb Cali – 3B |
| 7. Maui Ahuna – SS | 7. Ben McLaughlin – DH |
| 8. Cal Stark – C | 8. Parker Rowland – C |
| 9. Christian Scott – RF | 9. John Bolton – SS |
| Pitching: Jr. RHP Andrew Lindsey | Pitching: Jr. LHP Hunter Hollan |
Baseball Schedule This Week
Tuesday — Arkansas 21, Little Rock 5 (7 innings)
Wednesday — Little Rock 11, Arkansas 4
Friday — vs Tennessee — 7 p.m. CT (SEC Network)
Saturday — vs Tennessee — 6 p.m. CT (SECN+)
Sunday — vs Tennessee — 2 p.m. CT (SECN+)
Accountability Check — 2023 Arkansas Baseball Predictions
Best of Arkansas Sports managing editor Andrew Hutchinson published his week-by-week predictions for the 2023 season just before the Razorbacks opened the year at the College Baseball Showdown. Those predictions can be read in full here, but we’ll also be doing weekly “accountability checks” in this space.
Prediction: 2-0 in the midweek / 25-9 overall, 7-5 in SEC play
When Arkansas finally started playing in-state programs a few years ago, Little Rock visited Baum-Walker Stadium and pulled off a surprising 17-7 upset. Since then, though, the Razorbacks have won all three matchups. That streak should reach five, as long as they don’t get caught looking ahead.
Actual: 1-1 in the midweek / 26-7 overall, 8-4 in SEC play
Well, according to Brady Slavens, the Razorbacks were looking ahead to the Tennessee series on Wednesday and that led to an 11-4 loss to Little Rock. However, they had won a couple of non-conference games earlier in the season we predicted them to lose, so they’re still ahead of our projections.
Composite College Baseball Top 25
Unlike football and basketball, which have just the AP and Coaches Polls all year (with football adding the CFP rankings late in the season), college baseball has six major polls.
To get a better feel for how teams stack up, BoAS has combined those rankings into a single top 25 by using a points system in which a No. 1 ranking = 25 points, No. 2 = 24 points and all the way to No. 25 = 1 point. We will update this each week throughout the season…
| Team | Conference | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1. LSU | SEC | 150 |
| 2. Wake Forest | ACC | 139.5 |
| 3. Florida | SEC | 137.5 |
| 4. Vanderbilt | SEC | 134 |
| 5. South Carolina | SEC | 125 |
| 6. Arkansas | SEC | 121 |
| 7. Virginia | ACC | 116 |
| 8. Stanford | Pac-12 | 108 |
| 9. Louisville | ACC | 99 |
| 10. East Carolina | AAC | 95 |
| 11. Kentucky | SEC | 86 |
| 12. North Carolina | ACC | 79 |
| 13. Tennessee | SEC | 67 |
| 14. Campbell | Big South | 65 |
| 15. Boston College | ACC | 60 |
| 16. Oklahoma State | Big 12 | 54 |
| 17. Texas | Big 12 | 48 |
| 18. Florida Gulf Coast | ASUN | 42 |
| 19. Coastal Carolina | Sun Belt | 36 |
| 20. Texas Tech | Big 12 | 34 |
| t-21. UCLA | Pac-12 | 28 |
| t-21. Arizona State | Pac-12 | 28 |
| 23. UConn | Big East | 21 |
| 24. USC | Pac-12 | 15 |
| 25. Miami (Fla.) | ACC | 14 |
Conference Breakdown
- SEC: 7
- ACC: 6
- Pac-12: 4
- Big 12: 3
- AAC: 1
- ASUN: 1
- Big East: 1
- Big South: 1
- Sun Belt: 1
***
More coverage of Arkansas baseball from BoAS…
