Bat added to glove

Jack Kenley had one career hit entering NCAA postseason play.

On Friday, the Arkansas freshman third baseman doubled that number with a pair of key swings in the Razorbacks’ 3-0 victory over Oral Roberts, and he added an RBI single in his first atbat in Saturday’s late game.

Kenley, batting No. 9, had the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville’s first hits in both games of the regional.

On Friday, Kenley went 2 for 4 and scored the game’s first run on Chad Spanberger’s RBI double. Kenley also had an infield single in the third inning, but he was thrown out at home when he tried to score from second base on a twoout single by Luke Bonfield.

Kenley had been hitless in his first 20 at-bats before hitting an RBI double against Mississippi State last week. His playing time has increased late in the season because of his solid defense and Jared Gates’ declining batting average.

Kenley had a key defensive play in the third inning Friday when he charged a well-placed sacrifice bunt and threw out Sam Grellner at first base. He also made a diving catch on the infield grass on a line drive.

“He’s our best defensive third baseman, and that’s why he’s playing,” Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said. “The hits are just a plus. Kenley has got a stronger arm, he’s a lot faster, has a lot more range [than Gates].”

Van Horn said Kenley had been batting well in practice, but it hadn’t carried into a game until the past week.

“Just the fact that I was being put in situations that I could get some playing time and get some experience just let me know they had confidence in me, and it meant a lot,” Kenley said.