The Arkansas Razorback baseball team ended their spring break with a sweep of number six South Carolina Gamecocks. With the sweep the Diamond hogs moved up three spots in the USA Today Coaches poll to sit at 13th. Offense was the story for the Razorbacks as they outscored the Gamecocks 24 to 8. Senior Matt Vinson lead the way hitting .417 for the series with 3 RBI’s and a homerun.
Pitching was also key, and Junior Ryne Stanek had the second complete game of his diamondhog career.
Stanek had no earned runs and seven strikeouts in the series clinching game Sunday.
With his performance Stanek earned SEC pitcher of the week honors, and is the first Razorback to earn the honor this season.
Archive for Sports
Razorback Baseball Update
Hogs Take Down Cats
The Arkansas Razorback men’s basketball team improved to 18-11 overall and 9-7 in conference play after its win over Kentucky 73-60. Arkansas was led by junior Coty Clarke who recorded his first ever double-double in a Razorback uniform. Along with Clarke’s 14 points and 12 rebounds, the Hogs outscored the Wildcats 30-2 in points off turnovers and grabbed 20 offensive rebounds to grab the 13 point win. In front of a crowd of over 18,000 fans, the Razorbacks defeated Kentucky for the second consecutive time in Bud Walton Arena and the 13 point margin was the most by any Arkansas team versus Kentucky. Three Razorbacks finished in double figures: Powell with 15 points, Clarke with 14 points, and sophomore BJ Young with 13 points.
In the first five minutes of the game, Kentucky jumped out to a 12-6 lead hitting 5 of their first 7 shots; but once Clarke jump started the offense with a monstrous dunk,he and Powell lead Arkansas on a 7-0 run to take the lead 13-12. With a rowdy crowd in Bud Walton Arena that booed Arkansas native Archie Goodwin every time he touched the ball; helped the Hogs take a 32-29 lead into halftime that went back and forth most of the way. Junior Marshawn Powell lead the Razorbacks at halftime with seven points and five boards.
Arkansas came out explosive in the second half with an 11-0 run that started with a three-pointer by junior Fred Gulley III and ended with a three-point play by Powell. However, the most defining moment of the game was when sophomore Hunter Mickelson received a breakaway pass behind the back from freshman Michael Qualls and finished with a two hand slam to put the Razorbacks up 59-45. The Hogs forced 19 Wildcat turnovers and 11 steals while only committing seven turnovers the entire game.
Arkansas improved their record at Bud Walton Arena this season to 15-1 and will look to grab their second conference road win of the season at Columbia, Mo. to take on the Missouri Tigers. Tip-off is scheduled forTuesday night, March 5th at 6 p.m. on ESPN.
Baseball Team Adds to Winning Streak
The Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team added to the U of A’s sports success this weekend with their three game sweep of Evansville. Arkansas outscored Evansville 25 to 8 and improved their win streak to 5 games.
All but one of Arkansas position starters had a hit in Sunday’s final game, and several young pitches stepped up to hold Evansville to 2 runs. Freshman Trey Killian got the win in his first collegiate start, and freshman Colin Poche threw 2 and a third scoreless innings in relief on his way to earning SEC Freshman of the week honors. Up next for the diamond hogs is the Coca-Cola classic in Arizona.
The first game is against number 24 Arizona state this Thursday with first pitch at 5 pm
Hogs Weather Storm; Beat Mizzou
The magic of Bud Walton seems to keep reappearing for the Arkansas Razorbacks as they pull out a 73-71 win over new SEC rival, Missouri. Sophomore guard, BJ Young, converted a pair of 3-point plays within a minute left to vault the Hogs to a two point victory. When the Tigers missed a three point basket as time expired, the Hogs showed resilience as they improved to 16-9 overall and 7-5 in SEC play.
Junior, Marshawn Powell, led all scorers with 24 points while shooting 8 for 19 from the field. Sophomore, BJ Young, followed with 18 points and 5 rebounds and Junior, Coty Clarke finished with 13 points and 7 rebounds. Overall, the Razorbacks shot 42.6% for the game but struggled from the free throw line shooting 58.3%.
As 50 personal fouls were called throughout the game, the Hogs improve to 15-1 at home defending Bud Walton Arena with the only loss to Syracuse back in November.
Head Coach, Mike Anderson on the win said, “Our guys dug down deep and made some plays and hit clutch free throws down the stretch. We were very fortunate today to come out with the win.”
Arkansas is now tied with Missouri for 5th place in the SEC race with six games to play in the regular season. The Razorbacks have now won four of their last five games as they a wait to host the Georgia Bulldogs next Thursday, February 21st at Bud Walton Arena at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
Hogs Stun #2 Florida
The Arkansas Razorbacks did something on the hardwood that they haven’t accomplished since 1999. The Hogs took down the #2 ranked Florida Gators 80-69 in front a electric atmosphere in Bud Walton Arena. The last time the Razorbacks have beaten a Top 2 team was back in 1999 against Auburn.
Arkansas got to the absolute perfect start against the Florida Gators by hitting 7 three point baskets to get the Hogs out to at the largest, a 27 point lead in the 1st Half. Arkansas also held the Gators to their lowest field goal percentage of 29.2% all year in the 1st Half. The Hogs took a commanding 17 point lead into halftime over Florida 43-26.
The Hogs were lead in scoring by sophomore, BJ Young, with 13 points, but however, almost every Hog got in on the action. Junior, Marshawn Powell, and freshman Michael Qualls each scored 11, junior Coty Clarke scored 9, and sophomores Rashad Madden and Hunter Mickelson each scored 8 among others.
Arkansas forced 16 Gator turnovers and converted 21 points in transition for the Razorbacks in the 11 point win. The Hogs improved to 14-8 overall and (5-4) in SEC Play.
Arkansas will look to carry this momentum onto a two game road trip, as they travel to Nashville, TN to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday February, 9th and then to Auburn, Ala. to take on the Auburn Tigers next Wednesday, February, 13th.
Business As Usual for Razorbacks
After back to back losses on the road for Mike Anderson’s razorback basketball team, they bounced back nicely with a home win over the Tennessee Volunteers 73-60 on Saturday. With around 14,000 in attendance for Saturday’s game, the Hogs seemed to have gotten the confidence boost they needed as they now prepare to host #4 Florida on Tuesday. The Razorbacks were led by Sophomore point guard, BJ Young, who had 25 points in only 27 minutes of play and not starting the game.
After another switch up in the starting lineup which included: Marshawn Powell, Rickey Scott, Coty Clarke, Michael Qualls, and Mardracus Wade, the Hogs were able to get into a defensive rhythm early and forced 20 turnovers for the seventh time this season.
Junior, Marshawn Powell, and sophomore, Hunter Mickelson, were the other two Razorbacks to get into double figures. Mickelson finished with 10 points and 5 rebounds and Powell with 12 points.
The game shot out to a fast start between both teams and the Hogs finished the first half on an 18-7 run and forced 12 Tennessee turnovers as they headed into halftime with a 35-25 lead. Arkansas carried that momentum into the second half with a quick 6-0 run to open, but as the Razorback offense hit a rough patch, Tennessee made it’s way back into the game only down 49-40 with just under ten minutes to play.
But after a breakaway dunk by Hunter Mickelson and a Michael Qualls missed free throw rebound and stick back dunk, appeared to have brought Bud Walton Arena back to life and the Hogs never looked back. Qualls finished the game with an impressive 11 rebounds and 7 points to show for his first start as a Razorback.
Arkansas grabbed its fourth SEC win of the year after defeating Tennessee and improved to 13-8 overall and (4-4) in SEC play. The Razorbacks will host currently #4 Florida on Tuesday, February 5th, at 6 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena.
The game will be televised on ESPN.
Hogs Cage Tigers Late
The Arkansas Razorbacks Basketball team was looking for another home and conference win against the 2-0 in SEC play Auburn Tigers Wednesday night. Something the Tigers haven’t done since the 2002-2003 season.
From the get go, the game went back and forth with Auburn taking an early 12-6 lead after back to back three point baskets by Noel Johnson. However, the Hogs responded with a 17-0 run and carried that momentum into halftime with a 34-27 lead. Sophomore Guard, BJ Young, carried the Hogs in the first half with 10 points.
The second half proved to be in favor for the Auburn Tigers however as they got hot from the three point range hitting eight total three’s in the second half. Auburn Senior, Frankie Sullivan, hit five of those eight. Down for most of the last eleven minutes, the Razorbacks came back with just under three minutes left thanks to a three pointer from Marshawn Powell, giving the Hogs a 66-64 lead. In the final seconds of the game, Auburn’s Allen Payne hit a 3 point basket to tie the game at 67-67 and taking into overtime.
The first overtime game went back and forth leaving the Hogs and Tigers tied 75-75 with Arkansas losing the ball out-of-bounds on the final shot and taking them into their second overtime. The Hogs would prevail in the second overtime hitting 8 free throws and a three point basket by BJ Young with :27 seconds left to lift the Hogs over the Tigers 88-80 for the victory.
Junior, Marshawn Powell lead the Razorbacks with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists with BJ Young following with 22 points and Mardracus Wade with 12. Auburn Senior guard, Frankie Sullivan finished the night with 26 points and 9 rebounds in the losing effort.
Arkansas will move to 11-5 (2-1)SEC and Auburn to 8-8(2-1)SEC. The Razorbacks will travel to Oxford this weekend to take on the Ole Miss Rebels 14-2 (3-0)SEC.
Gymbacks Climb in Rankings
The women’s gymnastics team has only had one meet this year, but they have already cracked the top ten in the Gyminfo Women’s gymnastics rankings. After starting the season at number 12, the gymbacks have jumped up to number 9 in the poll, which is based on the team’s total average score.
Also ranked is junior Katherine Grable, who sits 5th in the nation in individual all around.
The gymbacks next meet is Friday at Kentucky who is currently ranked 14th in the poll.
Bielema Contract
Now that Bielema is officially the head coach for the Arkansas Razorbacks, he has agreed to a new contract for 6 years and $3.2 million per year. And for those that are interested in some of the contract details especially after the Petrino Scandal 8 months ago, the contract states that the University has the right to terminate Coach Bielema if he violates NCAA or conference rules and regulations or state or federal law at any of your prior places of employment, also for convenience for any reason at any time subject to the guaranty of the employment agreement, and the University shall have the right to take disciplinary or corrective action short of dismissal for cause in the event or the occurrence of any act or event that would be grounds for dismissal for cause. Coach Bret Bielema’s contract immediately goes into action as soon as signs the dotted line.
Benchmark Win for Women’s Basketball
Women’s basketball head coach Tom Collen has won 100 games in his career as the Arkansas women’s head coach.
The benchmark win came against Pepperdine, a game the Razorbacks won 64-39.
Collen now has a career record of 100-67, and the Razorbacks are 7-1 this season.
The next opponent for the Razorbacks will be number 20 Kansas this Thursday at Bud Walton arena at 7 pm.
