Midweek Preview: Hogs return home for in-state midweek clash

The top-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks (19-3, 5-1 SEC) return home from Auburn and will play host to the Little Rock Trojans (13-11, 2-1 OVC) at Baum-Walker Stadium, with first pitch now set for 3 p.m. (CT) on SEC Network+.

Get to know the Trojans

Skipper Chris Curry’s squad entered the 2024 season as the preseason No. 1 team in the Ohio Valley Conference. One could say that the Trojans could have not yet lived up to the billing, as they will enter the contest with a record just above .500. Key wins for UALR include a road series win at Belmont, a midweek victory over Memphis, and a home series win over Illinois State. The Trojans also carry losses to Ole Miss, ULM, Wichita State, and Oral Roberts.

The Trojans are certainly no offensive juggernaut, and the numbers back that up. UALR as a team only has 22 home runs on the season to go along with a team batting average of .261. Little Rock is led offensively by senior third baseman Nico Baumbach. Baumbach leads the Trojans with a .346 average to go with three long balls and 17 RBI. Other names to look out for in this lineup include Ty Rhoades, Ben Harmon, and Houston transfer Skyler Trevino.

Pitching Matchup

(ARK) RHP Ben Bybee: 0-0, 0.00 ERA (season debut) vs (UALR) RHP Jack Cline: 0-1, 5.47 ERA, 15K/14BB, 24.2 IP

Expect the Trojans to pitch by committee, as midweek starters have only gotten through the third inning one time this year, but Cline is the most likely candidate to start on Tuesday night. As a team, Little Rock holds an ERA of 5.72, and opponents have hit .254. Most teams have had no problems scoring on the Trojan staff. Look for the Hogs to flash the bats a little bit on Tuesday night.

Sophomore right-hander Ben Bybee will make his first appearance of the 2024 season on the mound for Arkansas. Bybee made seven starts in 15 appearances for the Hogs as a true freshman last season, posting a 7.24 ERA and 29 K in 27.1 innings.

Bybee put together a strong summer in the California League with a 1.69 ERA and 30 K in 26.2 innings. He was in contention to be Arkansas’ fourth starter coming into the season before suffering a hamstring injury, which came just before him battling mononucleosis.

What to Expect

Don’t be surprised if the Razorbacks run out a lineup that looks very similar to the one we saw on Friday night against Auburn. Head coach Dave Van Horn wants to get those bats some momentum heading into a series against an LSU team with several elite arms. There will also likely be some pinch-hitting with guys like Ryder Helfrick getting an opportunity or two at the plate.

The Hogs will probably look to get some young arms like Parker Coil and Christian Foutch some experience, and expect to see guys like Dylan Carter and Jake Faherty get their arms loose. Both teams will be turning to the bullpen early and often, and with a big series coming up on Thursday, this is a good chance to see some arms that haven’t been throwing on the weekends.