Arkansas has lost its third consecutive SEC series, dropping the rubber match against Florida 9-5.
As difficult as it is to ask, especially about an Arkansas program that's been one of the most dominant forces in college baseball, someone has to—is it time to worry? Today marks the first time the Diamond Hogs have dropped back-to-back-to-back SEC series in nearly a decade, and all three were lost in the same fashion.
Should fans begin to worry about Arkansas baseball?
Arkansas' bullpen has given up 53 runs in the last nine SEC games while the bats have scored 58. Yet, the Hogs are setting 3-6 in those series. In their wins, both aspects of the games are coming together for the Hogs, outscoring their opponents 31-8, but the losses show a different story. The Razorbacks have been outscored 45-27 in those six games.
Sure, Arkansas' offense never really clicked those games, but four and a half runs a game is still plenty to earn a win. However, giving up seven and a half runs is one of the worst stretches the Hogs' pitching staff has had in recent memory.
Arkansas baseball vs Florida: Game 3
For instance, in today's rubber match, Arkansas blew a 5-1 lead after the third inning. Of course, offensively, the Razorbacks shut down afterward, but the pitching staff continued to give up a run here and there, giving up at least one run every inning except the third.
At the top of the ninth, Arkansas had a chance to tie the game with only one out and the bases load, but Kuhio Aloy swung at a fastball well above the zone for strike three, and Gabe Frasier hit a line drive straight to second baseman, Justin Nadeau.
In fairness to Aloy and Frasier, they should've never ended up in that situation. The Hogs couldn't find a rhythm on the mound, going through seven pitchers. All except Tate McGuire gave up at least one earned run.
Arkansas baseball has been known for its pitching prowess. So, to see the Diamond Hogs finally have a decent approach at the plate just to lose games to a sub-par (for Arkansas standards) is incredibly disheartening. From here on, it doesn't get easier for the Hogs, with series against Texas, LSU, and Tennessee to round out the regular season.