Four-Run Sixth Propels Arkansas

By Tim Ahrens

Special to CollegeBaseballInsider.com

 

STILLWATER, Okla. – A 183-mile drive separates Fayetteville, Ark., from Stillwater, Okla., but fans of the Razorbacks made it seem as if they were cheering a game played in their own backyard.

 

Behind the chants of “Woo Pig Sooie” and an impressive traveling fan base, Arkansas plated four runs in the bottom of the sixth en route to an 8-6 victory against Oral Roberts in the opening game of the Stillwater Regional in the NCAA Tournament.

 

Andrew Benintendi, Collegiate Baseball’s national player of the year, went 3 for 4 with two RBI, including a two-run double in a four-run sixth inning that put the Razorbacks ahead 4-3.

 

“They brought in a lefty who didn’t throw very hard,” Benintendi said. “Started me off with a slider in, and I got something in … Today’s a new day, now this game’s in the past, and I don’t think about it anymore. We got a game tomorrow, so we’re just going to prepare for that.”

 

Benintendi’s hit was the third of four-straight hits before the Golden Eagles could record an out.

 

ORU opened the game with two runs in the first, prompting action in Arkansas’ bullpen just one out into the game. But starting pitcher Trey Killian settled down after the first, striking out four in the next four innings. Jackson Lowery pitched two innings of relief and earned the decision.

 

ORU’s Anthony Sequeira went 3 of 5 with four RBI, including a three-run home run to right-center field with two away in the ninth. Despite the late comeback try, Josh Alberius got Audie Afenir to fly out to end the game and advance the Razorbacks in the winners’ bracket.

 

Both teams had 12 hits, but the difference came in runners left on base. ORU left eight, while the Razorbacks stranded just one.

 

Despite the loss and breakdown from his bullpen, ORU coach Ryan Folmar was impressed with his team’s resiliency.

 

“A good start to a good Regional I thought, both teams competed really hard,” Folmar said. “... One of the things we like so much about this club is some of the toughness that is displayed all year long and some of the resiliency we play with. I think that’s evident here today.”

 

Arkansas’ next game will be Saturday at 6 p.m. against Oklahoma State; ORU faces St. John’s in an elimination game at noon.