FLEET WASHINGTON gives Hogs a late insurance run.
HOOVER, Ala. — Curtis Washington didn’t bat against Ole Miss on Wednesday in the SEC Tournament, but the University of Arkansas freshman affected the game with his speed on the bases.
After Washington went in as a pinch runner in the bottom of the eighth inning for Matt Goodheart — who hit a leadoff single — he scored an insurance run in the Razorbacks’ 5-3 victory.
“He’s a great kid to be around, wonderful teammate,” Arkansas second baseman Jack Kenley said. “He brings in a lot of energy every single day. Just kind of one of those guys you love to have on the ball club.”
Washington, an outfielder from West Memphis, advanced to second on Dominic Fletcher’s walk and then made it to third base on a wild pitch by Houston Roth with one out. The pitch in the dirt didn’t get far from Ole Miss catcher Cooper Johnson, and Washington just beat the throw to third baseman Tyler Keenan.
“When he went from second to third, I was a little nervous,” Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said. “But he did a great job. Great slide back-side of the bag. He barely beat it.”
Kenley then hit a hard ground ball to first baseman Kevin Graham, who threw home as Washington slid around a tag attempt by Johnson.
“We were going on contact,” Van Horn said. “If it had been hit back to the pitcher, [Washington’s] gone.
“The first baseman hesitated just a split second on the throw to the bag, and he got under it. Sometimes you have to take a chance and make them make a play, and they didn’t quite make it.”