Arkansas Baseball Defeats Central Michigan on Opening Day

The Arkansas Baseball squad scored late to defeat the Central Michigan Chippewas 6-1. This win moves Arkansas to 1-0 on the 2016 season.

After a disappointing week for another sport that I will not mention, it was nice to see our Hogs pull out a win. And what better way to do it than in front of a record setting opening day crowd of 9,620?

Opening Day in College Baseball was not disappointing by any means. With sunny weather sitting at about 70 degrees in Fayetteville, being outdoors was just what the Hog fans wanted. Another thing they wanted was a big ol’ win to slap on the boards. Our Hogs defeated the Central Michigan Chippewas 6-1 in a game that didn’t get exciting until the end.

Looking at the final, you would think a 6-1 victory would mean total domination by the Hogs. But for the majority of the game that wasn’t the case. Through six innings of this ballgame, it looked as if it could go either way.

Arkansas started off strong in the 1st when senior Cullen Gassaway knocked in a run with a single to right field. However, in the second inning, the Chippewas struck back, tying the game.

With the score 1-1 after two innings, this game was set up to be an exciting one. WELL YOU’RE WRONG. From then to the sixth inning, this matchup was a pitchers duel: CMU’s Sean Renzi vs Arkansas’ Dominic Taccolini.

In the end Taccolini won the battle. Our right-handed junior went seven innings with three strikeouts and giving up just one hit. CMU’s Sean Renzi went strong until the sixth inning when Gassaway drove in another Razorback run with a ground out that brought in RF Logan Regnier from third. With the score 2-1, the Hogs needed to maintain that lead.

Projected MLB first round pick Zach Jackson took to the mound to start off the eighth inning. Being a closer, we don’t always get to see much out of Jackson. But when we we finally do see him, all eyes turn towards the junior out of Berryhill, Oklahoma. Jackson started off the inning doing what he does best, getting strikeouts. After giving up a hit and a walk, Zach Jackson and the Hogs were bailed out with a much needed double play. Jackson’s day was done.

The bottom of the eighth was where the Razorbacks went insane. The bases became quickly loaded after Rick Nomura was hit by a pitch. A wild pitch followed, scoring Freshman Cody Scroggins and leaving runners at first and second.

Then all hell broke loose.

Junior Jake Arledge hit a bomb over the Central Michigan center fielder, easily bringing in the runs from second and third. As Arledge slid into third for the triple, the ball went over the head of the Chippewa third baseman and into the dugout, allowing Arledge to go to home. Although it was only listed as a triple, that sequence of events was still freaking awesome.

After closer Kacey Murphy struck out a man and gave up a walk, senior Doug Willey was called to the mound to record the final two outs. Willey made both of his final batters strike out swinging. This ended the first game of the Arkansas Razorbacks Baseball season with a 6-1 victory over Central Michigan.

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Overall it was a fantastic first when for our Diamond Hogs. Tomorrow we hope they do it all over again. The Hogs throw out the first pitch at 2:04 p.m. on Saturday. Those having SEC Network+ or the Watch ESPN App can view the game. Until next time…

Woo Pig.