Crucial series for Diamond Hogs at division-leading Ole Miss
Matt Watson
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Sports
Lately Arkansas has scored early and often, winning five of its last six contests by scoring an average of almost seven runs per contest.
"The only way to get at them down there [at Oxford] is to score runs," Van Horn said. "It's about getting some people on base and getting a big hit."
No one has been more consistent lately than Razorback senior Jeff Nutt, who is riding a 10-game hitting streak in which he's hit .424, with 11 runs, 10 RBIs, 4 home runs and a stolen base, the second of his career.
The Arkansas rotation seems to have found its stride at just the right time, with Dallas Keuchel proving himself worthy as the Friday night starter, Justin Wells emerging as a solid Saturday option and Cliff Springston in the series finale Sunday. The Hogs have won four of the last five games started by Keuchel or Wells.
"It's the time of the year that you have to start playing better," Bianco said. "We're playing a very good Arkansas team that might be playing their best baseball of the year, coming off two big weekend wins."
Several Hogs have come back strong from injury, including Nutt, who missed the first half of the season with a shoulder injury. Junior Casey Coon (ankle) went 2-for-4 Wednesday with two RBIs in his first start since early April.
First baseman Andy Wilkins is listed as day-to-day after re-aggravating an oblique injury.
Arkansas will take the field Friday night at 6:30 p.m. Saturday's game is scheduled for 4 p.m., and the series wraps up Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
"The only way to get at them down there [at Oxford] is to score runs," Van Horn said. "It's about getting some people on base and getting a big hit."
No one has been more consistent lately than Razorback senior Jeff Nutt, who is riding a 10-game hitting streak in which he's hit .424, with 11 runs, 10 RBIs, 4 home runs and a stolen base, the second of his career.
The Arkansas rotation seems to have found its stride at just the right time, with Dallas Keuchel proving himself worthy as the Friday night starter, Justin Wells emerging as a solid Saturday option and Cliff Springston in the series finale Sunday. The Hogs have won four of the last five games started by Keuchel or Wells.
"It's the time of the year that you have to start playing better," Bianco said. "We're playing a very good Arkansas team that might be playing their best baseball of the year, coming off two big weekend wins."
Several Hogs have come back strong from injury, including Nutt, who missed the first half of the season with a shoulder injury. Junior Casey Coon (ankle) went 2-for-4 Wednesday with two RBIs in his first start since early April.
First baseman Andy Wilkins is listed as day-to-day after re-aggravating an oblique injury.
Arkansas will take the field Friday night at 6:30 p.m. Saturday's game is scheduled for 4 p.m., and the series wraps up Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
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