Arkansas moves on to Supers with 4-3 victory

By Tim Ahrens

Special to CollegeBaseballInsider.com

 

STILLWATER, Okla. – St. John’s coach Ed Blankmeyer wasn’t shy to point out his team’s accomplishments after knocking off Oklahoma State in an elimination game Sunday afternoon.

Blankmeyer’s Red Storm, the Big East regular season and conference tournament champions, earned the No. 4 seed heading into the Stillwater Regional. Blankmeyer didn’t find the label all too appealing.

 

“First of all, we’re not a four-seed,” Blankmeyer said. “I don’t care what the NCAA says. And I think this Regional’s one of the toughest Regionals out there.”

 

SJU proved its resiliency against second-seeded Arkansas in the nightcap, but the Razorbacks scored the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth en route to a 4-3 victory, securing a trip to the NCAA Super Regionals.

 

“Yeah, it’s important for us, but we’re not satisfied,” Razorbacks outfielder Tyler Spoon said. “For me, this is going to be my first Super Regional experience, so I’m excited. We’re not satisfied. We’re looking to win this series next weekend and go to Omaha.”

 

Spoon hit a solo home run in the top of the sixth, part of a 3-0 lead the Razorbacks put together in the fifth and sixth innings.

 

But the Red Storm battled back, scoring twice in the sixth and tying the game on Robbie Knightes’ RBI single down the left-field line in the seventh.

 

The game seemed poised for extras until Arkansas loaded the bases with one out in the top of the ninth. Joe Serrano followed with an RBI groundout, scoring Brett McAfee. Zach Jackson came on for the Razorbacks and struck out the side to send Arkansas on to the next round. The Razorbacks are likely to host the Super Regional against Missouri State, despite the Bears being one of eight national seeds in the tournament, because the Bears’ share a home with the local minor league team, which is playing at home this weekend.