Veteran pitchers lift Hogs to semis
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas' 2- 0 start in the Southeastern Conference baseball tournament has left opposing coaches as relieved as they were defeated.
After Major League drafteligible junior right- hander Barrett Astin pitched eight 5hit innings against Ole Miss on Wednesday, allowing just a run, in the Razorbacks' eventual 2- 1 10- inning, Rebels coach Mike Bianco wished Astin a hasty signing following June's draft.
“We've seen him now for so long," Bianco was quoted after Wednesday's game. " We'll be happy when he leaves."
Ditto LSU coach Paul Mainieri on Thursday regarding Arkansas draft- eligible junior right- hander Ryne Stanek, who pitched a six- hitter through eight innings Thursday and handed off a 4- 1 lead for drafteligible junior closer Colby Suggs to save with a 1- 2- 3 ninth.
" He's about ready for the big leagues," Mainieri said in Thursday's postgame.
The pitchers’ duel between Stanek ( 9- 2, 1.40 earned- run average) and LSU’s Aaron Nola ( 10- 0), relieved to start the eighth of a 1- 1 duel with Arkansas then attacking the LSU bullpen, lived up to its billing.
" The stage was set for a really good game," Mainieri said. " I don't think anyone was disappointed in the pitchers’ duel. I thought Aaron pitched his heart out and you have got to tip your hat to Stanek. He's really good. He was the story of the game."
Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn also said Stanek vs. Nola lived up to its billing from the start.
" I thought the starting pitchers did a tremendous job," Van Horn said. " They're both outstanding and their records and ERAs show that. It's not something that happened every now and then with these guys; it happens every time they are on the mound."
Power pitcher Stanek especially stunned the Tigers how he pitched out of a basesloaded jam after allowing three walks.
" He was throwing a lot of off- speed pitches when he got behind in the counts," Mainieri said. " That really surprised us."
Arkansas plays Friday’s AlabamaLSU winner in today’s noon semifinal. Unfortunately
for the Razorbacks, though they are tournament unbeaten, they won't advance to Sunday's championship unless they win today.
Adding Texas A& M and Missouri to make a 14- league created the new SEC tournament that left the two teams with the worst SEC records ( Georgia and Tennessee) at home and had the next eight playing single- elimination play- in games Tuesday while Vanderbilt and South Carolina, first and second in the SEC East, and LSU and Arkansas, first and second in the West, were granted byes until Wednesday.
The other side of the bracket Friday had SEC overall champion Vanderbilt, losing its first- round game Wednesday to Texas A& M but eliminating South Carolina Thursday in 10 innings, rematched with Texas A& M.
Mississippi State, idle Friday after winning Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, has the same must- win scenario facing Arkansas today to advance to Sunday's championship.
The fair test, of course, would be for Arkansas and or Mississippi State to have another losers’bracket go at it if either or both lost today. However with NCAA regionals beginning next week and a set- in- stone championship game required Sunday, the SEC approved a single- elimination format and double- elimination play Wednesday through Friday.
The Razorbacks would most approve being granted a regional at Baum Stadium, still not a given considering their 44 RPI ( ratings power index) entering the week, though chances increased with the triumphs over No. 21- ranked Ole Miss and No. 2 LSU.
" I'm not begging for it." Van Horn was quoted in Thursday's postgame. " But I think that we've earned it. We've beaten some good people. Yeah, I think we should host a regional and I hope we get to."