Final Non-Conference Pits Arkansas Against Missouri State
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Razorback baseball team will close out its non-conference schedule Tuesday when Missouri State comes to Baum Stadium for a single midweek game. It will be the final home game for the Razorbacks in 2016 as the Hogs will try to avenge a loss to the Bears two weeks ago. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. CDT on SEC Network+.
Freshman Barrett Loseke will take the mound as the starting pitcher for the Razorbacks opposite right-hander Austin Knight for the Bears. Knight was the starter for Missouri State the last time the two teams faced off, picking up the win after 5 2/3 innings with 5 earned runs given up.
As for Loseke, he hasn’t made a start since April 10 against Ole Miss. Since then, he has made six appearances, all out of the bullpen with his longest outing of 3 2/3 innings coming against No. 2 Texas A&M on April 30. Loseke has one of the better ERAs on the team at this point in the season. At 2.73 in 29 2/3 innings pitched, he has the second-best ERA of any pitcher on staff that has pitched 10 or more innings this season.
Arkansas’ loss to Missouri State back on May 3 was one of a recent string of losses that the Hogs hope to snap on Tuesday. In the previous game with the Bears, four Razorback batters recorded multiple-hit games as Grant Koch and Eric Cole each added two RBIs with their 2 hits.
Things to know
Freshman Isaiah Campbell threw one of his best games of the year Friday night against Alabama, going a season-high five innings and only giving up one hit to give Arkansas a chance to mount a comeback.
Campbell retired the final nine batters he faced and could help bolster the starting rotation next weekend at Mississippi State. This year, Campbell has a 3.77 ERA in 12 appearances, five being starts and has struck out 22 batters.
Senior Rick Nomura nearly had a Senior Weekend to remember on Sunday when he hit the go-ahead 2-run home run in the 8th inning to give Arkansas a 4-3 lead over Alabama heading into the ninth inning.
During his last five games, Nomura has gone 7 for 21 (.333) with three RBIs. His home run was his first since hitting one against Grambling State (March 15). In conference play, Nomura is second on the team with a .304 average and 10 of his 31 hits have been for doubles.
Arkansas and Missouri State have played over 70 times in its histories going back to 1966. Along with last year’s Super Regional win over the Bears at Baum Stadium, the Hogs have won 12 of their last 15 games against Missouri State and four of their last six in Fayetteville.
Follow Live
Tuesday’s game can be seen online on SEC Network+ with Alex Perlman (play-by-play) and Troy Eklund (analyst) calling the action.
Phil Elson (play-by-play) and Rick Schaeffer (analyst) can be heard on the radio via the Razorback Sports Network from IMG. Fans in the Fayetteville area can listen to the game on the flagship station 92.1 FM The Ticket or online at ArkansasRazorbacks.com.
Probable Starters
Tue | 6:30 p.m. | (ARK) RHP Barrett Loseke (1-2, 2.73 ERA, 32/19 K/BB) vs. (MSU) RHP Austin Knight (4-2, 5.12 ERA, 36/19 K/BB)
