Hamblin Leads Diamond Hogs to Sweep of Kansas
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Sunday’s series finale with Kansas at Baum Stadium was a pitcher’s duel for the second straight day until Danny Hamblin crushed a 2-0 pitch into the batter’s eye in sixth inning for a three-run home run.
The blast put 10th-ranked Razorbacks (13-5) on top 4-0 en route to a 5-2 win that completed the three-game sweep of the Jayhawks (11-7) in front of 4,649 fans at Baum Stadium.
Tim Smalling got the scoring started in the sixth with a RBI single off the glove of KU second baseman Ryne Price one batter prior to Hamblin’s second home run of the season.
Hamblin had gone 41 at bats since his first home run of the season at Troy on Feb. 10. He finished the game 2 for 3 with three RBI.
“We knew Danny would come up big for us, and today he did with that ball he hit against the wind on a line,” Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. “I know the team was really excited for him and the coaches were really excited for him as well. He has been fighting it this year, but he has worked really hard and deserves it.”
KU starter Andy Marks held the Hogs to four hits through the first five innings before back-to-back walks to Matt Willard and Casey Coon set up the fireworks in the sixth inning. Marks took the loss to drop his record to 3-2 on the season. He allowed four runs on six hits in 5.1 innings of work, striking out seven and walking three.
Shaun Seibert turned in a strong start allowing just two hits through four innings, but left the game prior to the fifth inning with a sore right elbow.
Brian McLelland recorded two outs in the fifth inning before giving way to freshman left-hander Stephen Richards with runners on first and third base with two outs. Richards came on and struck out Robby Price looking to end the threat.
Richards earned his first collegiate win to even his record at 1-1. He pitched 1.1 innings, surrendering one hit and striking out three. Travis Hill came on in the seventh to face three straight left-handed hitters and ended up working two innings and giving up one run on three hits.
Chris Rhoads pitched the ninth inning and allowed one unearned run on one hit with two strikeouts.
John Allman led Kansas’ nine-hit attack, going 3 for 4 with a run scored.
The Razorbacks host Oral Roberts at 5:35 p.m. Tuesday at Baum Stadium. Arkansas will be looking for a little revenge after the Golden Eagles won the NCAA Fayetteville Regional last season.
