NFL
By: Randall Slifer
The Arkansas Razorbacks won their first game in the College World Series today (or yesterday). If you are a fan of baseball (right? Because you’re reading), Gage Wood was absolute cinema versus Murray State. Wood threw the third no-hitter in College World Series history, and did it with 19 strikeouts. His fastball and off-speed pitches were locked in, and it left Murray State’s hitting defensively or chasing the high, rising fastball. By no means was this an open-and-shut game, as the final score was only 3-0. There is not enough to say about Gage Wood other than this game will not be forgotten. Gage Wood was still throwing 98 miles an hour in the ninth inning past 110 pitches. The only issue with this game was that Arkansas needed Gage Wood’s performance to advance. Arkansas Baseball will need to become the complete team they were in the Regionals and Super Regionals to keep this team in Omaha.
On offense, our top half of the lineup started cold, but our star on offense was our ninth batter, Justin Thomas Jr. He had his first four-hit game, which led to our top half of the batting order driving in runs to cushion the lead throughout the game. Our eighth batter, Reese Robinett, is the only batter with a hit in both games of the College World Series. Reese provided the first hit of the game, which led to our only run against Murray State’s starting pitcher, Isaac Silva. Murray State’s pitching is a primary reason why they made it to the College World Series. They stoned Vanderbilt in the regionals twice, which led to Murray State advancing out of the Regional bracket, which had the number one-ranked team in the tournament.
Murray State proved it by Silva pitching six innings and only allowing one run. Arkansas left many men on base throughout the first six innings, and the team struggled to handle his slider, which was moving left to right very well. Once Arkansas was able to get Silva up to 80 pitches, Arkansas poured it on quickly for its relief pitcher. In the first inning, Kelham pitched, and Arkansas scored two runs to cushion their lead, which was all they needed. Arkansas fans (Including myself) may be reading too much into our offensive woes, as they faced the top pitcher in the tournament in Kade Anderson, and now a stud in Silva. I think Arkansas fans hope the team has just put behind them their toughest offensive matchup in these first two games.
Now, Arkansas’ defense and pitching have still been lights out. Zach Root allowed three earned runs in the first two innings of the first game against LSU. LSU and Arkansas are the front-runners of the College World Series, and only three earned runs is not something to hang your hat on. Gabe Gaeckle came in and pitched great, and only allowed one run for the rest of the game. Now, Arkansas still needs to win three straight games to advance to the College World Series finals.
Dave Van Horn will need to be methodical in who pitches for the remainder of the bracket. Arkansas will play the loser of the UCLA/LSU game. I assume Beidelschies will pitch in the next game as one of our starters. The best-case scenario would be Beidelschies able to pitch to or through the sixth inning. Arkansas will need to save its bullpen and pitchers if it plays five total games. Zach Root will be able to return to a game, and since he only pitched 35 pitches in Game 1, he should be available after the upcoming game. The entire pitching squad watching Wood throw a no-hitter will certainly get everyone fired up to continue this elite pitching.
Arkansas can advance to the College World Series as long as it gets its bats back in the next couple of games. Arkansas averaged nine runs a game during the regular season and has managed to score seven runs total these past two games. There have not been many home runs this College World Series, and we cannot rely on the long ball. I do not believe it is Arkansas’ issue, but how the balls are flying this whole tournament.
Arkansas took a step forward today in bunting and stealing bases, as they are not accustomed to small ball during the regular season. They will need to focus on stringing hits and runs together to quickly separate themselves from their opponents, relying on pitching and fielding to get the job done. As I always say, Arkansas Baseball needs to focus on the immediate task at hand and take it one day at a time. To continue Arkansas’ College World Series run, Arkansas needs to take care of business tomorrow night, no matter who we play. Go ‘Backs!
