Chris Murray: Baseball Hogs Enter SEC Play Scuffling

 

Can The Baseball Hogs Defy Expectations?

baseball hogs open sec play

Chris Murray BioEntering the 2014 college baseball season, expectations for the Arkansas Razorbacks were a bit subdued, especially in comparison to the 2013 team. After all, last year the Baseball Hogs were the preseason no. 1 in most polls and loaded with experienced talent.

We all know how that ended, and the pro draft claimed Ryne Stanek, Dominic Ficociello, Brandon Moore, Colby Suggs and others.
Still, the Hogs raced out to a 7-0 start before they were swept by South Alabama in a doubleheader on March 1 at Baum Stadium. Arkansas then lost three of four games last weekend at the Cal Baseball Classic in Berkeley, and now enter Southeastern Conference play at 8-5.

Lack of offensive production plagued Arkansas (and most all of college baseball; the changes to the stitches on the ball might help beginning next season) last season, and that has plagued the Hogs so far in 2014. In losing five of their last six games, Arkansas has scored just 13 runs, while hitting just .266 for the season.

Brian Anderson, the Hogs’ top returning position player and a preseason second-team All-American, is off to a hot start with an OPS over .900. Outfielder Tyler Spoon is a proven run producer, and Brett McAfee is steady. Freshman centerfielder Andrew Benintendi, the high school national player of the year out of Cincinnati, has shown a knack for getting on base, with an OBP over .400. And, transfer outfielder Krisjon Wilkerson is hitting over .400 in limited action.

Arkansas’ pitching has not been the problem. Lefty Jalen Beeks, poised to be the staff ace and the Friday night starter, is 3-1 with a .68 ERA in 26.2 innings this season. Chris Oliver looks to be a solid no. 2 starter. Michael Gunn and Colin Poche are proven commodities, and perhaps the super-talented Trey Killian puts it all together this season.

Florida comes into SEC play with a record of 11-6, but it has won its last five games. The Gators have equally struggled at the plate, batting just .255 as a team. Florida’s team ERA is 3.16, as the Gators seem to be experiencing a similar lull in talent level.

As usual, the SEC figures to be one of the premiere baseball leagues in the country, with eight teams currently ranked in the top 25. That includes no. 1 South Carolina, which has run its record to 15-0. Vanderbilt checks in at no. 7, while LSU sits at no. 8. Arkansas plays all three, but also misses out on Kentucky and Tennessee, who are also ranked.

So even though the Razorbacks have to start league play on the road, they could have earned a worse draw than Florida. In fact, don’t be surprised if Arkansas leaves Gainesville with a series win. Every year the SEC seems to have a team or two that defy expectations. Can Arkansas be one of those teams? We will have a better idea after this weekend.

Arkansas returns to Baum Stadium for non-conference games Tuesday and Wednesday before hosting Alabama next weekend in its first home SEC series.

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