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Best Razorback Games Of 2007-08 — Rockin’ The House

3 comments June 23rd, 2008 6:05am TipsterHog

This week marks the end of the 2008 ‘fiscal year’ for Razorback sports. And while most media outlets write their recap stories at the end of December, we actually think it’s more appropriate to do it now before a new set of seasons give us new highs and lows to live through and discuss.

It’s certainly an understatement to say that momentous changes have occurred in Razorback athletics off the field over the past 12 months.

But each day this week we’ve chosen to focus on the moments on the field that we’ll all remember in the years ahead…the best Razorback games of the 2007-08 seasons.

Coming in at #5 is the only baseball game of our countdown. And with Coach Dave Van Horn and his program going through a rebuilding year in 2008, it turned out to be one of the few highlights in what was mostly a season to forget.

With nine conference games remaining, the Diamond Hogs entered their series in early May against #13 South Carolina with a below .500 conference record.

And things weren’t looking very promising for the home team during the crucial Friday night opening game after the Gamecocks built an 11-8 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth inning.

With two outs and down to their last strike, Hogs’ junior outfielder Chase Leavitt beat out an infield single to load the bases and set up the heroics of freshman pinch hitter Jacob House.

South Carolina vs. Arkansas 2008

It was the second year in a row that a pinch hitter had provided the biggest bang on fireworks night at Baum Stadium. In 2007, outfielder Wayne Hrozek hit a two-run double in the 10th inning to clinch the Western Division title for the Razorbacks.

After the biggest hit of his life, House was humble when interviewed after the game:

“I’m just trying to get it to the next guy,” House said. “I just wanted to get a hit somewhere and keep the inning going, but then it went out of here.”

“When I hit it, I thought ‘man that felt good.’”

The Gamecocks never recovered that weekend after the ninth inning collapse. The Hogs would go on to record their only conference series sweep of 2008.

When It Counts

7 comments June 2nd, 2008 6:05am TipsterHog

It was a disappointingly quick elimination of the Diamond Hogs in the Stanford Regional over the weekend. Unfortunately, based on the program’s recent postseason performances, it wasn’t completely unexpected.

Since the Razorbacks defeated Florida State on June 12, 2004 to advance to the College World Series, their NCAA postseason record stands at a dismal 5-10.

Four of those five wins have come over the perennial baseball ‘powerhouses’ of Miami (Ohio), Princeton, Creighton and Albany. Against the ‘real’ teams (Big 12 and Pac-10 conference) during that time frame, the Hogs’ postseason record is a pitiful 1-8.

What makes those stats even more maddening for Hog fans is that Coach Dave Van Horn has produced teams since his Arkansas tenure began in 2003 that have been very competitive. They have frequently been ranked in the top 25 and consistently collected regular season wins over top-notch competition.

So just to be clear…no one is stupidly calling for Van Horn to leave. Among other things, his winning percentage and two SEC division titles in six seasons have more than proven that he’s a solid head coach.

But here’s the problem…a precedent has been set over the past several years with the Razorback football and basketball programs: Just making bowl games or ‘March Madness’ isn’t enough. Winning some of those postseason games is also required.

If losing five out of seven bowl games puts pressure on the football coach, it can’t be any different with the baseball coach. If just qualifying for (but not winning) NCAA tournament games isn’t enough to keep the basketball coach off the hot seat, it can’t be any different with the baseball coach.

One of the criticisms since Van Horn became a major college coach in 1998 is that, while he has successfully taken his teams to the College World Series three times, he has never won a game at the postseason classic.

But at this point…I think most Razorback baseball fans would gladly accept the postseason success of just making it back to Omaha again. Even if that meant quickly losing two games and then coming home.

Stanford 5, Arkansas 1 (Stanford Regional)

1 comment May 31st, 2008 10:31pm TipsterHog

Hogwired.com: Razorbacks Eliminated in Regional by Stanford

The Razorback baseball team allowed just five runs on Saturday in an elimination game against Stanford at the NCAA Stanford Regional, but could only manage to score one of its own as it was ousted from the NCAA Championships by the host school, 5-1.

Also:

Hogwired.com: Box Score (PDF)
Vernon Tarver: Short Stay For Razorbacks, Forsythe Finishes Arkansas Career
Chris Cocoles: Hogs stranded in California, Stanford Regional report
Nate Allen: Diamond Hogs’ season stranded

Updated 6/1/08 8:30 a.m.

Pepperdine 4, Arkansas 3 (Stanford Regional)

1 comment May 30th, 2008 9:29pm TipsterHog

Hogwired.com: Razorbacks Drop Game One of Regional, 4-3

Junior Chase Leavitt had two hits including a RBI single in the top of the ninth, but it wasn’t enough to push the Arkansas baseball team to an opening day win at the Stanford Regional as the Razorbacks fell 4-3 to Pepperdine on Friday.

Also:

Hogwired.com: Box Score (PDF)
Vernon Tarver: Stranded Opportunity, Diamond Hogs Notebook, Diving Catch Ends Arkansas Rally
Chris Cocoles: Hogs can’t overcome missed opportunities, Stanford Regional report
Nate Allen: Diving catch gives Hogs first loss at regional

Updated 5/31/08 7:55 a.m.

Diamond Hogs Headed To Stanford Regional

Add comment May 26th, 2008 3:03pm TipsterHog

Hogwired.com: Razorbacks Invited to Join Baseball Field

The Razorbacks travel to Palo Alto, Calif., this weekend to play in the Stanford Regional. The Hogs will take on the #2 seed in the regional, Pepperdine (36-19, 15-6 West Coast). The regional host and #1 seed Stanford, plays #4 seed Cal-Davis in the other game.

Ribby the Razorback (TipsterHog Photo) Seeding

Stanford (33-21-2)
Pepperdine (36-19)
Arkansas (34-22)
UC Davis (34-22)

Also:

NCAA.com: D-I Baseball Championship Bracket Announced, Tournament Bracket (PDF)
Chris Bahn: Arkansas Lands NCAA Berth; 3rd Seed at Stanford
Vernon Tarver: California Bound
Jerry L. Reed: Diamond Hogs Celebrate Good News
Rick Fires: Arkansas excited to be in NCAA’s
Chris Cocoles: Seedings reflect handsomely on SEC
Nate Allen: Going to California, NCAA bid lifts Hogs from helpless to hopeful
Heath Allen: RPI gives Hogs a second chance

Updated 5/27/08 7:45 a.m.

Arkansas 12, Western Illinois 6

Add comment May 19th, 2008 11:05pm TipsterHog

Hogwired.com: Razorbacks End Regular Season With a Win

Andy Wilkins had two hits and three runs batted in, including a solo home run in the first inning, to pace the Arkansas baseball team to a 12-6 win over Western Illinois on Monday night at Baum Stadium.

Also:

Hogwired.com: Box Score (PDF)
Ryan Malashock: Razorbacks Take Care Of Business, Face Long Wait
Rick Fires: Hogs cruise to victory in finale
David Showers: Hogs in uneasy spot awaiting post-season fate
Nate Allen: The waiting game

Updated 5/20/08 8:15 a.m.

Win Or Go Home

1 comment May 19th, 2008 6:05am Walking on Sunshine

Well…that didn’t go as planned…did it? The Razorback baseball team, who needed a series win against the bottom-feeding Mississippi State Bulldogs, lost two of three this weekend in Starkville.

The Hogs (33-22, 14-15) will miss the SEC Tournament for the first time since the Dave Van Horn era began in 2002.

The real dagger was Friday night’s game. After breaking up a 2-2 tie with three runs in the top of the ninth, the four runs allowed by the bullpen in the bottom half of the inning were devastating.

‘Struggling,’ ‘inconsistent,’ and ’suspect’ have all been used to describe the bullpen this season. But no more…’bad’ is the appropriate word at the moment. Despite good showings at times by Mike Bolsinger, Stephen Richards and James Mahler, no one has emerged as the closer the Hogs have needed.

Despite the disappointment of not advancing to Hoover, the Hogs still look good to land a NCAA regional bid. Most projections (including Rivals.com) have nine teams getting in from the SEC. The Hogs started the weekend at #23 in RPI, but will likely fall to around 30 after losing two of three.

“We got 33 wins,” Van Horn said. “We have a great RPI. I think if any team deserves to get in with the second half and all the injuries we’ve had, it’s us.”

After hosting Western Illinois tonight at 6:30 p.m., the Hogs will look to get in some good practice time this week. But it will also be a week of hand-wringing until the field of 64 is announced next Monday.

Arkansas 15, Mississippi State 10

Add comment May 17th, 2008 10:33pm TipsterHog

Hogwired.com: Wild One in Starkville Concludes SEC Season

James Mahler pitched three innings of relief and stopped Mississippi State from scoring runs to help the Arkansas baseball team to a 15-10 win on Saturday afternoon at Dudy Noble Field, spoiling legendary Bulldog coach Ron Polk’s final game as manager.

Also:

Hogwired.com: Box Score (PDF)
Vernon Tarver: Razorbacks Win, Now They Must Wait, Diamond Hogs Notebook
Rick Fires: Hogs get victory, denied SEC bid
Chris Cocoles: Freshman comes to Hogs’ rescue
Nate Allen: Hogs defeat Miss. State, miss out on SEC tourney
The Clarion-Ledger: Ron Polk ends 29-year career with MSU
Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal: Polk’s finale a long day at park

Updated 5/18/08 9:30 a.m.

Mississippi State 6, Arkansas 5

1 comment May 16th, 2008 11:58pm TipsterHog

Hogwired.com: Ninth Inning Rally Dooms Razorbacks

A three run lead in the ninth inning was not enough for the Arkansas baseball team as it fell to a spirited Mississippi State squad, 6-5, at Dudy Noble Field on Friday night.

Also:

Hogwired.com: Box Score (PDF)
Vernon Tarver: Bulldogs Rally Past Hogs In Ninth, SEC Tournament Hopes Dwindling For Diamond Hogs, Diamond Hogs Notebook
Rick Fires: Hogs can’t hold 9th-inning lead
Chris Cocoles: Hogs left hoping for some help
Nate Allen: Ninth-inning rally dooms Razorbacks at Starkville
The Clarion-Ledger: Ninth-inning rally lifts Bulldogs past Hogs
Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal: Ron Polk going out with series victory

Updated 5/17/08 9:30 a.m.

Mississippi State 6, Arkansas 5

1 comment May 15th, 2008 11:44pm TipsterHog

Hogwired.com: Mississippi State rallies late for big win

A solo home run in the seventh inning for Mississippi State gave the Bulldogs just enough offense to take down the Arkansas Razorback baseball team on Thursday night, 6-5.

Also: