No. 5 Arkansas’ (2-0) doubleheader sweep of Washington State (0-2) on Friday in Baum-Walker Stadium showcased a come-from-behind victory in game one and an electric offensive display in game two. Before entering the third game of this four-game series, here are three keys to the game for the Razorbacks as they continue their opening weekend slate.
Arkansas baseball vs Washington State: 3 Keys to game 3
1. Have Gage Wood seize the moment.
RHP Gage Wood has built a veteran presence at Arkansas and made a huge step forward in 2024 after an impressive freshman campaign. He made 22 appearances for the Razorbacks with three starts while logging a record of 3-2 with an ERA of 4.46 in 40.1 innings and 56 strikeouts. This game will show where Wood is at as a starter and can prove that he is still a reliable arm for the Hogs.
2. Get the bats hot again.
Even though the bats were alive and well in the second game of Friday’s doubleheader, Arkansas’ offensive struggles were prevalent in the first game. The Razorbacks left eight men on base while tallying six hits and six walks. The offense was a huge struggle for the Razorbacks in 2024, but the new additions should be able to fix the problem with both power and speed.
3. Keep stealing bases.
Speaking of speed, Arkansas swiped a total of five bags on six attempts across the first two games of the season. Guys like OF Justin Thomas Jr., who stole two bases in the second of the doubleheader, will be a threat on the basepaths and can help the Razorbacks increase their run production. It further proves the point that speed kills.
First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. and the game will be streamed on SEC Network+.