Diamond Hogs Face Challenge from SEMO and Kansas in the Midweek
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas baseball team hosts Southeast Missouri State and Kansas in the midweek with the Redhawks visiting Baum Stadium on Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 3:05 p.m. and the Jayhawks on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 3:05 p.m.
Both games can be heard on the Razorback Baseball Radio Network with Chuck Barrett handling the play-by-play duties and Rick Schaeffer as the analyst. The broadcasts can also be heard over the internet inside the RazorZone at Hogwired.com. Live stats are also available on Hogwired.com.
Head coach Dave Van Horn’s club wraps up its five-game, season-opening home stand against the Redhawks and Jayhawks. His club is ranked 30th in the latest Collegiate Baseball poll.
The Diamond Hogs’ mid-week rotation will feature a true freshmen and a sophomore newcomer who is making his first start in an Arkansas uniform.
RHP James Mahler battled nerves in his first start on opening day, but will get the call for the second time on Tuesday when the Hogs battle Southeast Missouri State. Mahler last just 1.1 innings vs. Wright State on Feb. 22, but has the makeup to be successful. Bolsinger, a right-hander, worked out of the bullpen in his first appearance as a Razorback on Feb. 23 vs. the Raiders. He allowed just one hit in 1.1 innings with a walk and a strikeout.
Southeast Missouri State is led by 14th-year head coach Mark Hogan. The Redhawks (2-1) are coming off series win at Arkansas-Pine Bluff over the weekend where they hit .248 and posted an ERA of 2.08. SEMO is expected to start ace right-hander Dustin Renfrow, who threw just one inning out of the bullpen over the weekend against Pine Bluff. Arkansas owns a 4-3 edge in the all-time series, but the Redhawks have won the past three meetings with one game coming in 2000 and two more in 2002.
On Wednesday Kansas travels to Fayetteville after five games against Hawaii-Hilo in Kona, Hawaii’ last weekend. The Jayhawks enter the game with a 2-3 record, a .261 batting average and a 3.79 ERA. The Razorbacks hold a 31-12 all-time record vs. Kansas and have won six-straight in the series after UA’s three-game sweep last season at Baum Stadium. Kansas is slated to start left-hander Wally Marciel, who is 1-0 on the season after a six-inning outing against Hawaii-Hilo in the opener on Feb. 22.
Game 4: Southeast Missouri State at Arkansas
Tues., Feb. 26, 3:05 p.m. – Baum Stadium
Probable Starting Pitchers
AR: 42 James Mahler, RHP (0-0, 27.00 ERA)
SEMO: 22 Dustin Renfrow, RHP (0-0, 9.00 ERA)
Game 5: Kansas at Arkansas
Wed., Feb. 27, 3:05 p.m. – Baum Stadium
Probable Starting Pitchers
AR: 32 Mike Bolsinger, RHP (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
KU: 41 Wally Marciel, LHP (1-0, 1.50 ERA)
