Offensive fireworks aplenty as Arkansas blows out Bucknell, 32-4
VIDEO: Postgame | Arkansas 32, Bucknell 4
Razorback redemption in second meeting with Aggies, 94-75
Arkansas used five pitchers and a couple of clutch hits to outlast Bucknell 3-1, earning the sweep in Baum Stadium Sunday in front of 4,872 fans.
Junior Keaton McKinney struggled with command in his first appearance since 2016, but the Bison couldn't take advantage, only scoring 1 run on 5 hits all game.
The Razorbacks got into multiple jams but consistently found a way out. Despite hitting 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position, the Hogs made just enough plays to earn the victory.
Here's how Arkansas swept the Bison on Sunday:
THE WINNING INNING
Bucknell got on the scoreboard first with an RBI single by Tyler Wincig in the second inning. Freshman Heston Kjerstad minimized the damage by gunning down a Bucknell runner at the plate to keep the score at 1-0. The Razorbacks quickly answered with their own RBI single from Carson Shaddy in the bottom of the inning.
Designated hitter Luke Bonfield came through with yet another RBI single to extend the lead to 2-1 in the third inning. Arkansas would add a final run in the seventh inning on a solo shot to left field from Eric Cole, his first of the season.
The Bison put a runner on second base with a double in the top of the ninth, but Jake Reindl closed things out, retiring the next three Bucknell batters.
KEY QUOTES
Dave Van Horn on today's game:
"It was obviously a crisper game. That's the beauty of baseball...you just have to adapt to the elements...It was a good ball game. Looking ahead, this type of ballgame is probably one that we needed."
Van Horn on the entire series:
"I thought it was a good weekend for our team. I got to play every player that I'm going to play...and pitch every pitcher. They got an opportunity to get their feet wet."
Van Horn on next week's pitching rotation:
"We'll probably start Murphy if he's feeling real good. He's had some tightness in his back...Then we'll probably go with the two that went Friday/Saturday and we'll leave Sunday open."
Van Horn on Arizona:
"They've got four or five of their best hitters back. Their lineup is a little left-handed heavy...As far as pitching, they lost the lefty that beat us last year. We don't know a lot about them, but we know more than we knew about Bucknell."
Eric Cole on the importance of tight games:
"Obviously we're not going to put up 30 runs every game. I think it was good to have a close game going into this weekend. Coach always harps that championship teams win on Sundays."
STAT OF THE GAME
Freshmen Caleb Bolden and Jackson Rutledge allowed only 2 hits in 5 innings on the mound in their first showing as Razorbacks. The 6-8 Rutledge struck out four Bison hitters.
Kjerstad, another freshman, was hit by a pitch for the fourth time in three games this season.
WINNING PITCHER
Matt Cronin (Arkansas): 1.0 IP (17 pitches), 1 H, 1 K, 0 BB, 0 ER
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Right fielder Eric Cole went 3 for 3 with a walk and 1 RBI on his solo home run that put Arkansas up 3-1. Cole hit .692 for the series.
Bonfield was big as well with an RBI single to break the 1-1 tie in the second. He hit 1 for 4 on the day and .286 for the weekend.
6-8, 260-pound Jackson Rutledge was very impressive in his first performance at Arkansas. He only allowed 1 hit and didn't give up a single run while throwing 4 strikeouts in two innings of work. Rutledge topped out at 97 mph.
UP NEXT...
Arkansas travels to San Diego (Calif.) to take on the Arizona Wildcats on Wednesday, February 21. First pitch is set for 9:00 p.m. (CST) and will be televised on Cox Sports Television.
