Arkansas Baseball Preview: Arkansas Razorbacks vs Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils

The 3-0 Arkansas Razorbacks take on the 0-4 Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils on Tuesday and Wednesday in Fayetteville. Here’s a preview of the games where the Hogs should exhibit total dominance.

Arkansas Baseball is back, and already our Diamond Hogs are showing that they are a force. Coming into this season ranked at #22, all eyes were on the Razorbacks. Arkansas fell ill to beginning-of-the-season struggles in 2015, so the Hog Lords (Yes, Hogism is polytheistic) were called upon to not let that happen again.

Thus the Hog Lords answered…for now, at least. The Razorbacks swept the Central Michigan Chippewas in the three game series at Baum Stadium in front of a record setting opening weekend crowd (Give yourselves a pat on the back). Although the second game was closer than we would’ve liked, the Hogs were able to pull it out the 4-3 win and clinch the series over the Chippewas.

Tuesday and Wednesday will be the first two game series for the Hogs this season. The Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (dear god what a mouthful) will be traveling to Baum Stadium. The Delta Devils come from Itta Bena, Mississippi, a town with the population of a 2,000 and whose slogan is literally “Home in the Woods”.

The Delta Devils haven’t had a hot start to the season. In fact, it almost couldn’t have been worse. They traveled to Thibodaux, LA to take on Nicholls State (You know, the team that we demolished in football to end our ten game losing streak?). Yeah them. Nicholls State absolutely demolished M.V., outscoring them 52-7 throughout the four game series…in baseball. Looking at past schedules, it doesn’t look like MV-State has had much luck anytime recently.

In fact, the most wins they have had in a season since 2011 is seven.

It’s just going to be hard watching us play them, you know? I mean while writing this I’m starting to feel a little bad for them. It’s just too unfair, they’re a team that’s just walking into their own death. Like David vs. Goliath, the Cowboys vs. the Little Giants, Arkansas vs. Toled– oh, wait.

But oh well, back to the stats.

Arkansas has faced off against Mississippi Valley State seven times in the past three seasons. As figured, the Razorbacks are 7-0 all time against the Delta Devils. In those seven games, Arkansas has outscored the Valley 51-3.

So ha, take that Nicholls State.

Now guys, I don’t want you to think that I’m just some jerk who is here to make fun of Mississippi Valley State. Although that is totally what I’m doing, there is also a point to this article. I’m here to tell you that Arkansas should win by a ton Tuesday and Wednesday. Will I be upset if the Delta Devils get a run or two? No. Will I be upset if we don’t get to double digits both games? Absolutely.

So in preparation for the upcoming blowouts against our friends in Itta Bena, here’s the Hogs for you to watch out for on the diamond.

Hogs to Watch

Rick Nomura-

THE FLYIN’ HAWAIIAN.

Rick Nomura showed a lot of enthusiasm this weekend, and for good reason. Nomura is one of our big returning players for the 2016 season, but early on he isn’t getting the chance to show it. He’s hitting .333 on the year, but his three walks have made that somewhat insignificant. Look for Nomura to get his chance against the Delta Devils.

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The first pitch for Tuesday and Wednesday is at 3:04 p.m. You can tune into the game on SEC Network+ or the WatchESPN App. Look for the Hogs to really take a stand against Mississippi Valley State. And just think, after Wednesday we should have a 5-0 Arkansas Razorback team (and an 0-6 MV State team).

Can I get a Hogelujah?