Razorbackers
Fansided

Arkansas Baseball Looking for Payback vs Gonzaga

By Cory Thone

Jun 13, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks infielder Michael Bernal (3) applies the tag to Virginia Cavaliers catcher Robbie Coman (8) on a steal attempt in the fourth inning in the 2015 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks infielder Michael Bernal (3) applies the tag to Virginia Cavaliers catcher Robbie Coman (8) on a steal attempt in the fourth inning in the 2015 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

It was last year’s series loss to Gonzaga that sent the Arkansas baseball team on a tailspin through the entire month of March. The Diamond Hogs eventually clawed their way out of the hole and ended up in Omaha, but the sting of those losses is still fresh in fan’s minds. Can the Hogs get redemption against the Bulldogs in Baum Stadium this week?

Want to make a grown man shudder in fear? Look an Arkansas baseball fan in the eyes and say “March of 2015”. You’ll see them wince in pain as a tingle runs down their spine as memories of an almost repressed time in Diamond Hog history resurfaces.

It’s easy to forget the beginning of last year’s season, since the Razorbacks were able to rally their way to Omaha. But let me remind you that there was a time in March of 2015 when Hog fans were less than pleased with the product on the field. That feeling came around full throttle after a midweek series loss to Gonzaga exactly one year ago.

The Razorbacks walked into the series with Gonzaga with a 9-3 record, having just lost the last game of the series to Loyola Marymount. As is the case when the Hogs lose a game in a series win, most fans shrugged it off. Baseball is not a sprint, it’s a marathon, and one loss won’t kill you. But fans didn’t know what was coming down the line.

The Diamond Hogs would lose back to back games against Gonzaga by a combined score of 21-7. Fans could not believe how bad this Hogs team had played, and they began to get concerned with…well..everything. And it wasn’t just fans who were feeling the pressure, as the Arkansas baseball team proceeded to have one of their weirdest and worst months ever in Dave Van Horn’s time at Arkansas.

The Hogs went 10-22 in the month of March in 2015, with their only 3 series wins coming at the very beginning of the month against Loyola Marymount and Eastern Illinois. The Hogs took that Gonzaga mentality into conference play, going winless against Vanderbilt, and losing their series against LSU. The Hogs did get  series win against Ole Miss, but finished the month with a 14-14 overall record.

More from Razorbackers

Oh, and the Hogs also split series with Memphis and Southeast Missouri State, and lost a 1 game series against Missouri State, the team the Hogs would eventually beat in the Super Regionals. It was, for lack of a better phrase, one craptastic month of baseball from the Diamond Hogs. And it all started with a loss to Gonzaga.

The Bulldogs, by the way, finished the 2015 season with a 24-28 record. The Zags marquee series win of the year was easily against the eventually #7 ranked Arkansas Razorbacks.

Now, however, the Diamond Hogs have a chance to redeem themselves. The #14 ranked Arkansas Razorbacks are coming into the Gonzaga series after dropping a game in a winning series to a team they shouldn’t have. (Oh crap, not this again!)

I don’t think we’ll see a repeat of last year’s ridiculousness, however. This Hogs team is more balanced, and has shown the ability to win with or without the powerful bats they have at their disposal. That being said, it would be nice if Arkansas could get a few of those runs back from last year’s game.

The Zags come into Fayetteville with a 5-6 record and no series wins. The Hogs will have to contend with a few solid players on this not-so-great team, however. Particularly RHP Gage Burland, who has a rocket of an arm. The sophomore is getting a heavier workload this year, and will be getting his first start of the year against the Hogs.

Also, the Bulldogs catcher Joey Harris is second in division baseball in players caught stealing and CS percentage. Gonzaga doesn’t have anyone with any consistent power at the plate, but they like to bunt and try to set up runners one at a time. The Zags play methodical, smart baseball. They know they can’t out-athlete the Razorbacks, but they can certainly try and out-maneuver the Hogs. It worked last year, at least.

More razorbacks: Razorback Baseball Highlights

The games are slated for 1:05 PM on Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th on the SEC Network. Hopefully, the Hogs can get this series win and stay the course for the season. Because as it stands right now, this is the 2nd best start of Van Horn’s career at Arkansas. And last year he went to Omaha.

It’s safe to assume that he’s got a return trip in mind. Woo Pig.

Home/Baseball