Arkansas Baseball Regionals Day Two: Creighton

By: Randall Slifer

Arkansas Baseball got the job done yesterday on their home field versus North Dakota State. North Dakota State’s ace pitcher, Nolan Johnson, is an ironman pitcher who threw over 50 pitches twice in three days and managed to pitch 104 pitches on Friday. Nolan held up well through four innings, only allowing four runs. Arkansas managed to get Nolan close to 100 pitches in four innings, which led to a two-run homer by Kozeal in the bottom of the 5^th to cushion the lead at 6-2. Arkansas Baseball did not look back from there and held on for a 6-2 final. North Dakota State and Arkansas each had nine hits in the game, but the problem with North Dakota State’s offense is that the back half of the lineup did not contribute enough to get it done against the number-three-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks.

Arkansas’ pitching did what was planned, utilizing the bullpen throughout the game to save its aces for the rest of the tournament. Jimenez threw close to four innings and only had two earned runs while striking out three batters. Coil and Beidelschies came in and pitched the rest of the game, only allowing four hits and striking out eight batters. The relief pitching came huge to ensure we headed into the winner’s bracket. Our batters combined for over .300 batting average, and Kozeal hit that crucial two-run home run to give Arkansas a cushion in the 5^th inning. This game was very much a “do your job” game, and Arkansas did just that.

Creighton poured it on Kansas last night to also advance to the winner’s bracket. Creighton pitched their ace in Cancellieri. He allowed three runs in four innings, and it was a close game until the 6^th inning. Creighton scored seven in the 6^th inning, all without hitting a home run. Kansas’ pitchers looked a little frozen throughout that inning, leaving baseballs hanging in the strike zone as if it were batting practice. Creighton hit it in the right-center gap two times in a row for doubles to advance runners and score. Creighton’s hitting was solid, including a 455-yard home run over right field. Their defense also played well, with a home run robbery out of left field and sound infield play. Creighton deserved their victory, and to get into the winner’s bracket to face Arkansas Baseball tonight.

Arkansas is sending out their ace tonight in Zach Root. Zach Root has had some down games, but he has also been electric in big-time games. Notably, Zach Root threw eight innings against number one Texas while only allowing two hits. He struck out eleven batters, and it helped Arkansas sweep the number one team at the time. Arkansas used the right pitchers in game one to ensure that we have a deep bullpen today, just in case Arkansas needs to use Beidelschies, Carter, Wiggins, or McEntire. Tonight’s game is crucial, as it gives Arkansas the advantage of being 2-0 in the regional final, hence the reason we are sending out Root.

Creighton has not announced their starting pitcher yet, but my guess would be Wilson Magers. Magers has an ERA of 3.10 and a 6-2 record. Magers allows an overall batting average of .201 and has only allowed five home runs. He is not the strikeout king, but he does get the job done. The one advantage that Arkansas does immediately possess as the number one seed is that Creighton and Kansas had to start their aces to ensure they can move to the winner’s bracket. If Zach Root can have a good pitching game, then we can play sound ball around Root to get to the regional final.

Arkansas needs to capitalize on each inning and hold a lead from the first three innings. Arkansas can fall into a significant deficit in the first two innings, which causes its offense to go cold, as it chases off-speed pitches in search of a base hit to score a run. Arkansas went 3-9 when runners were in scoring position, and Arkansas’ hitting needs to get closer to 50% rather than 33%. Sending two more runs against Creighton could be the deciding factor in this game. I am personally not worried about Creighton scoring twelve runs in the first game, as the 6th inning involved poor pitching. Arkansas’ bottom half of the batting order has done well to get on base and extend innings, allowing us to reach our lead-off hitter.

If Arkansas can be consistent throughout the rotation as they have throughout the season, Arkansas Baseball can outscore Creighton. Nolan Sailors had an all-around great game defensively and offensively, and he could be a significant factor in tonight’s game. What Arkansas can bring is similar hitting combined with home runs. Creighton did hit a big bomb yesterday, but Arkansas doubled their home runs during the regular season. Creighton has zero players with double-digit home runs, while Arkansas has seven players with double-digit home runs. Creighton and Arkansas both have 4.00 ERAs coming to the mound today, and if it needs to be a shoot-out, Arkansas can hit all facets. Vegas favors Arkansas in this game and has an over/under of 12 runs, as Vegas predicts a higher scoring game. Just like Friday, Arkansas needs to stay calm and focused on the mound and at the plate to reach the regional finals in two games.

What did you think of Friday’s game, and how do you believe tonight will go? Reach out to me here or on Twitter/BlueSky @RandallSlifer and let me know your thoughts. Go ‘Backs!