Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

ISAIAH CAMPBELL gets the nod for Game 3.

- By Tom Murphy

FAYETTEVIL­LE — Righthande­r Isaiah Campbell, who did not record an out in his start against Dallas Baptist eight days ago, will take the ball for the No. 6 Arkansas Razorbacks in their Game 3 finale against South Carolina at the NCAA Fayettevil­le Super Regional at 6 tonight.

Campbell is 4-6 with a 4.17 ERA this year, but one of his victories was a strong five innings in a 3-0 victory over the Gamecocks on April 14. The 6-4 sophomore gave up two hits and no runs in five innings on a cold day. That was the first of his three games, out of 15 appearance­s, in which he did not allow a run.

“I feel fine with Isaiah,” University of Arkansas, Fayettevil­le Coach Dave Van Horn said. “He’s got great stuff. If he goes out and does what he can do, he’ll be out there for a while. If he doesn’t, we’ll go to the next guy.

“There’s no tomorrow, basically, so we’re going to give him the ball and let him have it as long as he earns it.”

South Carolina Coach Mark Kingston did not announce his starter. However, it will most likely be one of two freshman right-handers: Carmen Mlodzinski (3-5, 4.84), who has not pitched in the six games against Arkansas, or Logan Chapman, who faced the Razorbacks twice with vastly different results.

“We’ll look at match-ups,” Kingston said. “We’ll make a decision on what gives us our best chance. But we’ll be all hands on deck tomorrow, no question about it.”

Chapman gave up seven hits and two runs through four innings of what became a no-decision in a 3-2 victory at Baum Stadium on April 12. He lasted 11/3 innings against the Hogs in Hoover, Ala., and gave up three hits, three walks and six runs in a 13-8 loss.

Campbell allowed two walks and a hit to the first three Dallas Baptist hitters last week, but was only charged with one run as Jake Reindl came on to throw seven innings in a 4-3 victory.

Van Horn said Campbell has had a great week, including a 25-pitch run against live hitting last Monday.

“It’s over a week since he’s pitched, so he’s 100 percent and I feel mentally he’s ready to go,” Van Horn said. “I wouldn’t expect him to not go out there and give it his best shot and have a good outing.”

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States