Arkansas Razorbacks (22-16, 7-8) vs. #1 Fightin' Texas Aggies (34-3, 11-3)

Friday April 17, 2015 at 6:30 PM
Saturday April 18, 2015 at 7:30 PM
Sunday April 19, 2015 at 3:00 PM
Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park, College Station, Texas

TV Info:
Friday: Streaming on SEC Network+ via WatchESPN
Saturday: ESPNU
Sunday: SEC Network (the TV channel)

A&M leads the all time series 40-36-1
Last Meeting: 2-1 series win by Arkansas last season in Fayetteville (3-2, 7-3, 5-6), the Razorbacks also defeated the Aggies 4-0 in the first round of the SEC Tournament

Head Coach: Dave Van Horn (13th season, 504-286 at Arkansas)
2014 Record: 40-25 (16-14), 4th in the SEC West

Arkansas Info:
Stats
Schedule
Roster

2015 Results (22-16 overall) (Numbers from Warren Nolan)

• Series wins: #224 North Dakota (3-0), #284 Eastern Illinois (3-0), #101 Loyola-Marymount (2-1), #34 Ole Miss (2-1), @ #18 Auburn (2-1), #42 Kentucky (2-1)
  
• Series Losses: @ #20 Vanderbilt (0-3), #14 LSU (1-2)
  
• Midweek/Tournament Wins: #119 South Alabama, #136 SE Missouri State, @ #68 Memphis, #286 Mississippi Valley State (x2), #197 Stephen F. Austin (x2)
  
• Midweek/Tournament Losses: #43 UCF, #24 Maryland, #85 Gonzaga (x2), #136 SE Missouri State, vs #68 Memphis, #5 Missouri State
  

Warren Nolan RPI Rank entering weekend: 86

• vs Top 100: 8-14
  
• vs Top 50: 7-11
  

Pitching Matchups:
Friday: Grayson Long (Jr. RHP, 7-0, 2.12) vs Trey Killian (Jr. RHP, 1-2, 3.74)
Saturday: Ryan Hendrix (So. RHP, 3-0, 0.42) vs Dominic Taccolini (So. RHP, 5-3, 4.41)
Sunday: Matt Kent (Jr. LHP, 6-0, 3.12) vs Keaton McKinney (Fr. RHP, 2-1, 4.00)

Stat Comparison:

• Team Batting Avg: ARK: .294 (T-41st) A&M: .317 (5th)
  
• Team ERA: ARK: 4.34 (T-140th) A&M: 2.07 (1st)
  
• Home Runs: ARK: 35 (16th) A&M: 42 (T-4th)
  
• Stolen Bases: ARK: 31 (T-166th) A&M: 22 (T-236th)
  
• Fielding Pct.: ARK: .977 (T-21st) A&M: .971 (T-68th)
  

Players to Watch:

• So. OF Andrew Benintendi (.356/14/41)
• I think the stats speak for themselves. Andrew is as close to a five tool player as you'll find. High average, high slugging percentage, solid defense and arm, and when he doesn't hit it out of the park, he can kill you on the basepaths (15-18 in steals this year. Probably the most dangerous individual hitter the Aggie pitching staff has faced this year. Hit 4-16 with 2 walks and 4 RBI in four starts vs A&M last season.

• RS Jr. OF Tyler Spoon (.343/4/32
• Another RBI machine for the Hogs in the middle of their order. The Razorback offense has been a huge surprise this year, and a huge part of that is Spoon and Benintendi driving in runs time and time again in key situations. Both are also able to get on base in other ways, not just hurt you with base hits. These two have been, and will continue to be a reason for any postseason run Arkansas has. Hit 2-13 with 4 walks in four starts vs A&M last season.

• Jr. 3B Bobby Wernes (.343/3/18)
• Hasn't had as many RBI opportunities with Benintendi and Spoon clearing the table right in front of him, but has produced nicely when those opportunities have presented themselves. Another fast baserunner with 5 triples on the season to go along with 5 doubles and 3 homeruns. Hit 4-14 with 3 RBI and 2 walks in four starts vs A&M last year.

• So. RHP Zach Jackson (3-0, 2.14)
• Jackson is a jack of all trades and in my opinion the best arm on the Razorback's staff. He as done whatever Coach Van Horn has asked him to do this season, from long relief, to closing, to even starting 3 games on the mound. First on the team in strikeouts and batting average against, but also walks almost one man per inning. Pitched 0.2 innings in Game 2 vs A&M last season, giving up 1 unearned run on 2 hits and a walk. Pitched 3 shutout 3 hit innings in the SEC Tournament matchup, earning the save.
  

• Jr. RHP Trey Killian (1-2, 3.74)
• Killian won't overwhelm you with his stuff, (23 strikeouts in 33 innings of work and is poised to make a huge impression on the Olsen Field crowd. Not a huge power pitcher either, and would probably not be a Friday night starter on some of the top SEC teams (A&M, Vandy, and LSU), but makes you earn what you get. Gave up 1 run on 4 hits in Game 1 vs A&M and pitched 6 shutout innings in the SEC Tournament victory (going 2-0 overall).

Others to watch:

• So. RHP/INF Josh Alberius
  
• So. 1B/OF Clark Eagan
  
• Jr. 2B Rick Nomura
  
• Fr. RHP Keaton McKinney
  

Overall Breakdown:

This Arkansas team is different than many that Van Horn has put on the field before, in that they usually rely on strong pitching to win games, but this year the offense is their main strength. Spoon and Benintendi have eye-popping, all conference caliber numbers so far this season, and their supporting cast has been far better than expected. After struggling mightily out of the gate in conference play, the Hogs are beginning to hit their stride after three solid series wins in a row over Ole Miss, Auburn and Kentucky (all 2 games to 1) and look to be in solid position to contend for a three seed in a regional. Those postseason hopes could get a huge boost from any wins they pick up in College Station this weekend, and with the two coaches being so close to one another, it should be a fun weekend with lots of offensive fireworks. The obvious advantage for the Aggies is on the mound. While the Ags have been nothing short of stellar despite losing two weekend starters, the Hogs don't will not throw a single starter at the Aggie lineup this weekend that should pose much of a threat. The Aggie offense has been struggling a bit this month, but this weekend could be a great time to experiment with some new lineups before the big showdown in Baton Rouge next weekend.

Prediction:

It's a big weekend in Aggieland with Parent's Weekend and Ring Day on Friday, so the crowds should be huge, and possibly record-breaking should the weather hold up (which will look great on those two nationally televised games). Speaking of the weather, the threat for severe storms will persist through Saturday afternoon, but it seems like (knock on wood) we'll have enough of a window to get all three games in. If we do, I predict the Ags hold serve and win the series 2-1. Thanks and Gig 'Em, and see you at Olsen!