FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas baseball went undefeated in midweek games for the first time since 2005 by finishing off a two-game sweep over Missouri State Wednesday.
The No. 2 Razorbacks (39-7) scored 20 combined runs and used 11 pitches to secure two victories over the Bears (18-26). This series marks the end of Arkansas' rivalry with Missouri State head coach Keith Guttin, who is retiring at the end of this season after 42 seasons with the school.
Here are four observations from the Arkansas sweep.
A trio of Arkansas baseball pitchers bounce back
Gage Wood, Will McEntire and Ben Bybee haven't been in the best of form with that trio giving up 18 earned runs in 14 1/3 combined innings entering the series with Missouri State.
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Those three pitchers didn't allow an earned run in eight innings against the Bears. Wood and Bybee were the two starting pitchers for Arkansas while McEntire pitched a clean inning of relief in the 11-7 win Tuesday night.
Wood was terrific in the first start of his collegiate career, and if McEntire can rediscover a rhythm, the Arkansas pitching staff might just be peaking at the right time.
Top of the lineup carries offense
Jared Sprague-Lott had three hits and scored four runs across the two games, while Aloy's grand slam in the bottom of the first Tuesday gave Arkansas an early jolt. Peyton Stovall went 5-for-5 with a run and an RBI in Wednesday's 8-5 victory.
"(Stovall's) got a good swing and when he gets good pitches and gets ahead in the count, he can hurt you a little bit," Van Horn said.
Those three hitters along with Ben McLaughlin have been the Hogs' most consistent bats all year. They led the way against Missouri State, again showing why they're hitting at the top of the lineup every game.
Catcher battle rages on
Ryder Helfrick scored twice and drove in a run Tuesday, while Parker Rowland went 2-for-2 with three runs and a stolen base in game two.
"(Rowland's) done a nice job," Van Horn said. "Just gives us a left-handed bat at the catcher position. It helps us."
Hudson White had a run and an RBI in game one, but he still hasn't locked down the starting catcher spot, with Helfrick and Rowland doing their best to demand more at-bats. This position might just be a revolving door all season.
Up next
Arkansas hits the road this weekend for a top-10 showdown with No. 8 Kentucky. First pitch from the series opener is Friday night at 5:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas baseball sweeps Missouri State to clinch unbeaten season in midweek games
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