Live Scoreboard: Arkansas 2, Florida 1 (Game 1)
FAYETTEVILLE — The No. 2 Arkansas Razorbacks (35-6, 14-4 SEC) look to continue their 25 home game winning streak in a three-game matchup against the Florida Gators (21-19, 8-10 SEC) that begins Friday night at Baum-Walker Stadium.
Head coach Dave Van Horn and the Diamond Hogs are coming off a 2-1 road series victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks and an 11-1 midweek run-rule againt UAPB. Led by head coach Kevin O'Sullivan, the Gators were defeated twice last weekend by No. 13 Vanderbilt before picking up a Tuesday run-rule against Stetson.
Despite Florida's lacking overall record, Van Horn doesn't doubt that the Gators are one the most talented teams in the country.
"League play, it’s been up and down with their pitching," Van Horn said on Thursday. "Offensively, they’re strong. They’ve hit a bunch of home runs. I think, like, 90. Their first baseman and pitcher [Jac] Cagliaone, he’s unbelievable when you look at his numbers. He’s hitting .410 with 25 homers and he’s only struck out 14 times.
"They’re really dangerous and they’ve very talented. They’ve just had some young pitchers that maybe are a year away that they’ve tried to depend on in midweek games that have hurt them. In league play, it’s just a good league"
Heading into the weekend, the Razorbacks have had to shift the starting rotation around due to an ankle injury suffered by Texas Tech transfer left-hander Mason Molina. As a result, righty Brady Tygart will start the second game of the series with the the third game starter listed as TBA.
"(Molina) twisted his ankle doing some drill work, Coach (Matt) Hobbs and him and a few other pitchers," Van Horn said. "We’re going to give him this week off to let that heal. We could probably put him on the roster. We cold probably pitch him. He’s probably 90%. But we want to make sure that next week and going forward he’s at 100%.
Left-handed junior Hagen Smith is in line to take the mound for Arkansas on Friday, but that could be impacted with incoming inclement weather shadowing over the weekend. First pitch for the matchup has already been moved up from its original start time of 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. CT.
"I’m thinking tomorrow on Friday as of now we have a window to play, 7-to-10 or 5-to-10 or whatever it looks like where it’s not quite such a big percentage," Van Horn said. "Now that could change obviously tomorrow and then closer to game time. You know if the percentages go up and storms are going to roll in we won’t start that game. But we’re planning on playing tomorrow at 7:00."
Arkansas maintains a 36-35 overall series record against Florida, including a 16-11 record in games played in Fayetteville. Under head coach Dave Van Horn, the Hogs are 29-23 overall against the Gators, with a 13-5 home record in the series.
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Since 2017, Arkansas is 8-5 overall against Florida, including a three-game weekend series sweep at Baum-Walker Stadium during the 2021 campaign. The Razorbacks are going for their second consecutive weekend home series win over the Gators, a feat they have not accomplished since winning four weekend home series in a row from 2005-11.
Unable to watch Arkansas-Florida? HawgBeat has you covered with inning-by-inning updates, highlights and more:
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How to Watch/Listen
Who: No. 2 Arkansas Razorbacks (35-6, 14-4 SEC) vs. Florida Gators (21-19, 8-10 SEC)
When: Friday, April 26 at 6:00 p.m. CT
Where: Baum-Walker Stadium — Fayetteville, Arkansas
TV/Stream: SEC Network+/Watch ESPN (Tom Hart and Chris Burke)
Radio: Learfield Razorback Sports Network (Phil Elson and Bubba Carpenter)
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BetSaracen Odds
Money Line
- Arkansas (-230)
- Florida (+200)
Double R Props
- Hagen Smith OVER 5.5 innings pitched and OVER 9.5 strikeouts (+135)
- Jared Sprague-Lott OVER 0.5 RBIs and OVER 0.5 runs (+185)
- Will McEntire OVER 8.5 batters afaced and OVER 3.5 strikeouts (+150)
- Peyton Stovall OVER 0.5 extra base hits and OVER 0.5 RBIs (+275)
- Peyton Holt OVER 0.5 doubles and OVER 0.5 runs (+350)
- Wehiwa Aloy OVER 0.5 extra base hits and OVER 0.5 RBIs (+375)
- Ty Wilmsmeyer OVER 0.5 stolen bases and OVER 0.5 runs (+650)
- Arkansas team OVER 2.5 team doubles and OVER 1.5 home runs (+750)
- Kendall Diggs OVER 0.5 RBIs and OVER 0.5 triples (+1100)
(Alternate lines, spreads, team totals and player props are available on the BetSaracen mobile app.)
(Lines and odds are subject to change at any point after the publishing of this story. HawgBeat does not guarantee any bet as a winner or loser. You must be at least 21 years of age to use BetSaracen. If you have a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net)
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Starting Lineups
Arkansas:
1. Peyton Stovall, 2B
2. Jared Sprague-Lott, 3B
3. Wehiwa Aloy, SS
4. Ben McLaughlin, 1B
5. Peyton Holt, LF
6. Ryder Helfrick, DH
7. Kendall Diggs, RF
8. Hudson White, C
9. Ty Wilmsmeyer, CF
SP: LHP Hagen Smith (8-0, 1.53 ERA)
Florida:
1. Ty Evans, RF
2. Jac Caglianone, 1B
3. Colby Shelton, SS
4. Tyler Shelnut, 3B
5. Luke Heyman, C
6. Cade Kurland, 2B
7. Jaylen Guy, CF
8. Brody Donay, DH
9. Michael Robertson, LF
SP: LHP Pierce Coppola (0-2, 18.00 ERA)