Arkansas Baseball Notebook - May 19

Arkansas Baseball Notebook

May 19, 2008

Week: 2-2

Overall Record: 33-22

Monday, May 12: Arkansas 12, Mississippi Valley State 3

Thursday, May 15: Mississippi State 6, Arkansas 5

Friday, May 16: Mississippi State 6, Arkansas 5

Saturday, May 17: Arkansas 15, Mississippi State 10

Noting the Razorbacks

Arkansas missed out on the SEC Tournament for the first time since 2001 after going 2-2 for the week (1-2 against Miss. St.) … Arkansas would miss the tourney by just ½ game … The Razorbacks end the SEC season 14-15 its first non-winning mark in league play since the 2005 season … Junior Chase Leavitt made a spectacular catch in right field for the Razorbacks on Thursday night and the effort landed him on SportsCenter’s Top Plays at number two … The play was also one of Baseball Tonight’s Top Plays of the Week joining four others as potentially the best play and would be placed on ESPN.com for the public to vote on … Junior Logan Forsythe had another big week at the plate as he hit .533 (8-15) to improve his batting average to .341 … Forsythe was easily Arkansas’ most dangerous hitter and was intentionally walked twice because of it … Since breaking out of a season-long RBI slump in the Ole Miss series, Forsythe has been tearing the cover off the ball as he has hit .464 over 14 games with 26 hits in 56 at bats, 16 runs scored, 23 RBI and has a .821 slugging percentage thanks to two doubles and six home runs … Leavitt continues to lead the Razorbacks in batting average with a .356 average, he also leads in on-base percentage at .512 thanks to 39 walks … Cliff Springston had a good outing for the Razorbacks on Friday night when he tossed seven innings of four hit ball allowing just two runs … Springston was in line to get the win as he left the game with a 2-1 lead, but ended the night with a no decision … James Mahler also looked good on the mound in two appearances as he struck out nine over 5.2 innings of work and allowed just four hits and no runs … Mahler shut down Mississippi State on Saturday with 3.22 innings of relief to secure the Arkansas victory … Mahler was nearly untouchable against the Bulldogs surrendering just one hit and striking out two.

Hitter of the Week Nominee

Logan Forsythe * Junior

Memphis, Tenn. / Christian Brothers

· Hit .533 for the week with eight more hits in 15 at bats.

· His week totals are the third time in four weeks that Forsythe has hit better than .500 for the week.

· Improved his batting average to .341.

· Was intentionally walked two times for a .650 on-base percentage.

· Scored four runs and drove in four.

· Now leads the Razorbacks in hits with 61.

· Is among the top three Arkansas players in eight offensive categories.

Pitcher & Freshman of the Week Nominee

James Mahler * Freshman

Sandy, Utah / Jordan

· Made two appearances and earned one win (against Mississippi State).

· Pitched a total of 5.2 innings with 3.2 coming in Arkansas’ victory at State.

· Stabilized Arkansas’ pitching effort against the Bulldogs after the bullpen had allowed four runs in .1 innings.

· For the week allowed just four hits (one against State).

· Threw a career high 3.2 innings out of the bullpen while striking out a career high eight in relief.

· Held opponents to a .190 batting average.

Next Week

Arkansas plays its final regular season game on Monday evening against Western Illinois at Baum Stadium beginning at 6:35 p.m. Following the game, the Razorbacks get some much needed rest before returning to the field in anticipation of a NCAA Regional berth.

Monday, May 19: Western Illinois at Arkansas, 6:35 p.m.