The No. 1 Arkansas Razorbacks improved to 14-2 on the year and 3-0 in midweek by knocking off the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles in the first night game at Baum-Walker Stadium this season.
Kendall Diggs hit his third home run of the year to highlight a quiet night for the Razorback offense, and Gabe Gaeckle recorded his fourth save of the year. Here’s a quick rundown of the action and what stood out from the Hogs’ latest victory.
SCORING RECAP
- Bottom 2 – Arkansas 2, Oral Roberts 0: After a hit batter and two walks loaded the bases with one out, Peyton Stovall rips a two-strike, two-run single to right-center field.
- Bottom 2 – Arkansas 3, Oral Roberts 0: Wehiwa Aloy follows his middle infield partner with a base hit through the left side to drive in another run.
- Bottom 5 – Arkansas 4, Oral Roberts 0: Kendall Diggs moves into a tie for the team lead in homers (3) on the year with a solo blast to deep right-center field hit 103 MPH off the bat and 378 feet.
- Top 7 – Arkansas 4, Oral Roberts 1: After getting the final out of the sixth inning, Dylan Carter returned in the seventh and allowed a double to left and a base hit before getting pinch-hitter Sam Thompson to fly out, which plates the first Golden Eagle run.
- Top 8 – Arkansas 4, Oral Roberts 2: Koty Frank allowed a one-out single and issued a walk before Drew Stahl came through with a huge two-out single to cut the lead to two and force Arkansas to turn to its closer.
MVB (Most Valuable Bat)
Peyton Stovall: The Hogs finished with just six hits, so there weren’t a ton of big performances to sift through, so Stovall’s two-run single in the second inning looms pretty large. In just his 15th at-bat of the year, Stovall picked up his sixth and seventh RBI of the year, which happen to already be more than both of the guys Arkansas tasked with replacing him in the lineup in Jared Sprague-Lott (6) and Peyton Holt (5).
If driving in the first runs of the game in a key bases-loaded spot weren’t enough, the sheer value Stovall’s presence has brought to the lineup should be enough to earn him this honor on a night with few cool moments offensively.
MVA (Most Valuable Arm)
Colin Fisher:
It was a strong day at the office for the freshman lefty, who has served as the starting pitcher in all three of Arkansas’ midweek contests to this point. Fisher struck out four hitters in three scoreless innings of work while scattering three hits and a walk, and it’s worth noting that one of the hits arguably should have been scored an error.
Fisher’s season ERA now sits at 1.26 (2 ER in 14.1 IP), and he holds a big-time 19/3 strikeout-walk ratio. He threw only 51 pitches in today’s outing, which should make him an option on the weekend if needed, and his recent outings seem to indicate he’s more than deserving of consideration.
LINEUP UPDATE
Peyton Stovall made his first start in the leadoff spot after hitting sixth once and second twice last weekend. He also played in the field at second base for the first time since returning from a broken foot.
Hudson Polk made his third start at DH and hit cleanup, going 0-for-3 with a walk. Peyton Holt made his fourth start of the year at third base and went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored.
Ross Lovich made his fourth start of the year in left field and went 0-for-3 with an HBP and a run while Ty Wilmsmeyer started in center field. Parker Rowland also got a start behind the plate with Hudson White getting the day off.
DON’T OVERLOOK
- Freshman closer Gabe Gaeckle picked up his team-leading fourth save of the season after entering the game with two on and two out in the eighth inning with a 4-2 lead. Gaeckle got a quick flyout to end the frame before returning in the ninth and retiring the side in order. He’s now inherited 10 baserunners this year, none of which have scored.
- Will McEntire worked two scoreless innings while striking out two. He’s now struck out 22 hitters in a team-high 21.1 innings with only two walks. Not a bad start to the season for the senior right-hander from Bryant (Ark.).
- Wehiwa Aloy is now riding a six-game hitting streak, and he’s hit .348 during that time.
- Arkansas had just three sacrifice bunts all year coming into the game before Parker Rowland and Ty Wilmsmeyer laid down one apiece, marking the Hogs’ first multi-sac bunt game of the season.
- Arkansas offense: 7 BB, 5 K | Arkansas pitching: 2 BB, 9 K
UP NEXT
The No. 1 Arkansas Razorbacks will return to Baum-Walker Stadium on Friday night as they begin SEC play with a three-game series against the Missouri Tigers. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. (CT) and will be streamed on SEC Network+.