Baseball downs Delaware State, 9-2
FAYETTEVILLE – James McCann and Matt Reynolds each had two hits and two RBI, while Arkansas pitchers Geoffrey Davenport and Ryne Stanek combined to allow just two runs and strike out 14 batters as the Razorbacks defeated Delaware State 9-2 on Saturday afternoon in front of 7,710 fans at Baum Stadium.
The Razorbacks move to 2-0 with the win, while Delaware State is now 0-2 on the young season.
The Arkansas pitching staff was the story of the game for a second straight day as Davenport and Stanek combined to allow just three hits and two runs. The two also combined for 14 strikeouts, marking the second straight game that Arkansas pitchers have fanned 14 Delaware State batters.
Davenport threw five innings and allowed two runs on three hits, while striking out a career-high eight to earn the win. Making his collegiate debut, Stanek tossed four hitless innings, striking out six and walking two to pick up his first save.
Elliot Gardner suffered the loss for Delaware State, allowing eight runs, five earned, on seven hits with a strikeout in 3.0 innings of work.
McCann, James McKinney, Reynolds and Kyle Robinson each had two hits for the Razorbacks. McCann and Reynolds contributed a team-high tying two RBI, while McKinney also drove in a run. Eric Fisher and Jacob Rice each made their collegiate debut in the game and had a hit and a RBI.
Cameron Cecil, Ryan Haas and Keith Hernandez each had a hit to account for the three Delaware State hits in the game.
After a 1-2-3 top of the first, Arkansas wasted little time grabbing the lead, scoring a run in the bottom of the first. Collin Kuhn got the frame started by reaching on a fielding error by the Hornet third baseman. A hit-and-run single to right-center field by Bo Bigham moved Kuhn to third. Reynolds drove home Kuhn with a groundout to second to put Arkansas in front 1-0.
The Hogs broke the game open with a seven-run third inning. Kuhn led off the inning with a walk and quickly stole second base. A fly out to right by Bigham advanced Kuhn to third. Reynolds recorded his second RBI of the game with a double over the left fielder’s head, plating Kuhn. A single by Robinson put runners at the corners with one out. Matt Vinson walked to load the bases. McCann brought home two runners with a sharp single up the middle. Vinson moved to third on the hit, while McCann took second on the throw home by the Delaware State center fielder. DSU’s second error of the inning allowed Fisher to reach first and scored Vinson from third. McKinney continued the hit parade, doubling to left-center field to plate McCann and move Fisher to third. Tim Carver grounded out to second to score Fisher for the sixth Arkansas run of the inning. McKinney scored the final Razorback run of the inning, crossing home on a wild pitch.
Delaware State scored its first runs of the 2011 season in the top of the fifth, tallying two runs. Tony Gatto led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a single to center by Cecil. Both runners moved up a base on a groundout to the catcher by Eddie Sorondo. Hernandez cleared the bases with a double down the left field line to make the score 8-2 Arkansas. The Razorback pitching staff combined for 13.1 scoreless innings to start the season before the Hornets plated their first two runs of the year.
Arkansas added another run in the home half of the seventh. With two out, Franco Broyles drew a base on balls in his first collegiate plate appearance. Jacob Morris and Carver each followed with four-pitch walks to put a runner on every base. Rice hit a roller in front of the plate. The Delaware State catcher attempted to tag Broyles as he was running down the third-base line, but Broyles evaded the tag and slid into home safely for the ninth and final Arkansas run of the contest.
Stanek shut down the Hornets the rest of the way, allowing just one runner to reach over the final two innings to close out the game and record the save.
Arkansas and Delaware State conclude the three-game series on Sunday with first pitch slated for 1:05 p.m. Freshman right-handed pitcher Brandon Moore will take the mound for the Razorbacks, while the Hornets will counter with freshman righty Matt McClain. Single-game tickets for tomorrow’s game are $10 for reserved seats and $8 for general admission seats. Tickets can be purchased at Baum Stadium.
