Back On Track
April 30th, 2008 6:05am Walking on Sunshine
After a dismal start to SEC play, Dave Van Horn’s Diamond Hogs are finally putting things together. With a series win over Western Division-leading Ole Miss last weekend, the Razorbacks (26-18, 9-11) are still in position to challenge for the division title with nine conference games remaining.
Hopes for the postseason are also on the rise. As their RPI continues to climb (Rivals #26), the most recent projection by Southeastern Baseball has the Hogs making the field of 64.
No doubt a 3-8 SEC start had many thinking about next year. But after three straight conference series wins over Florida, Tennessee, and Ole Miss, it looks like the bats and starting pitching have finally started coming together at the same time.
Dallas Keuchel (3-2, 4.17), Cliff Springston (5-2, 3.74), and Justin Wells (3-0, 4.97) have all given solid starting performances of late. And that’s allowed pitching coach Dave Jorn to mostly avoid using an inconsistent bullpen that has blown several big leads this season.
The Razorbacks have recently started finding their stroke at the plate, as well. Catcher Ryan Cisterna carried the team (three home runs and five RBI) during the Tennessee series. And infielder Tim Smalling caught fire with four home runs and seven RBIs during Saturday’s doubleheader in Oxford. Outfielder Chase Leavitt (.509 on-base percentage) has been providing a spark at the top of the batting order.
After a mid-week game tonight against Missouri State, this weekend’s series at home with Alabama will be huge. Sitting only 1.5 games out of first place in the Western Division, and with two of the final three series at Baum Stadium, the Hogs are poised to make a late charge to finish up what has been a roller coaster of a regular season.
Tags: chase leavitt, cliff springston, dallas keuchel, justin wells, ryan cisterna, tim smalling
Entry Filed under: Baseball, Razorbacks
1 Comment
1. UnderHog | April 30th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Lest we forget -
Logan Forsythe was named SEC Conference hitter of the week with 3 home runs himself in the Ole Miss series. We all expected more during the season but in this case better late than never is sure a welcome sight. Perhaps it should have been Smalling and it could well have been as he also forced a couple of at the fence catches - he could have easily had 6 home runs. I had mixed emotions when Smalling was moved to First Base but he looks more like a 1st baseman with each outing there. If Springston’s fast ball comes all the way back he could be as tough as expected. He’s a big key here that needs to stay focussed and mean.