No runs off Bolden in return
FAYETTEVILLE — University of Arkansas sophomore Caleb Bolden pitched three innings in Saturday’s 10-1 victory over Eastern Illinois in his first appearance since June 2, 2018.
Bolden recorded his 9 outs on 45 pitches and gave up 3 hits in his first game since a brief relief outing in a 10-2 victory over Southern Miss in the NCAA Fayetteville Regional in 2018.
The right-hander from Texarkana, Texas, underwent Tommy John surgery in December 2018 and missed the 2019 season.
“It was really good to see Caleb come in, a year and a few months off of Tommy John,” Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said. “I think he topped out right around 90 [mph]. He just came in and threw strikes.
“We just wanted him to come in there and get some work. We wanted him to throw, we were hoping right around 50 pitches, and he got to 45. But I’m sure that slowly that velocity is going to come up.”
Bolden allowed three doubles, including two in the eighth inning, but he did not give up a run.
The Razorbacks turned in a sterling defensive play to keep the Panthers off the board in the eighth. Matt Mackey hit a one-out double to the left-field wall after Trey Sweeney’s leadoff double. However, left fielder Curtis Washington delivered a strike to shortstop Casey Martin, and catcher Dominic Tamez went high to grab Martin’s relay and tag the sliding Sweeney, who got a late break, out at the plate.
Mackey also led off the sixth with a double but could not come around to score.