Hogs Power Post MVSU, Sweep Series

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas baseball team (18-15) blasted three home runs, including two from Andrew Benintendi, to roll past Mississippi Valley State (6-21-1) 14-0 Wednesday afternoon at Baum Stadium.

The Razorbacks were unstoppable at the plate, scoring a season-high 14 runs on 17 hits to blank the Delta Devils and sweep the two-game midweek series.

Benintendi had a career-day, going 3-for-3 with an inside the park home run to lead off the third inning, before launching a two-run bomb down the right field line in the sixth inning. The sophomore now paces the SEC and is tied for the national lead in home runs with 11 on the year.

Not to be outdone, Carson Shaddy pinch hit in the fifth inning and belted a grand slam to left center, his third home run of the year as part of a two-hit day for the redshirt freshman.

Tyler Spoon extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a three-run double in the first inning, while Joe Serrano tallied three hits of his own and scored three times.

James Teague (2-2) picked up the win in his fifth start of the year, lasting 4.0 innings and giving up just two hits, while striking out a career-high five batters. Jonah Patten worked 2.0 innings, while Cannon Chadwick, Parker Sanburn and Kyle Pate all worked scoreless innings to record Arkansas’ third shutout of the year.

Arkansas returns to action this weekend, welcoming Kentucky to town for a three-game series at Baum Stadium. The Razorbacks will go for their third straight SEC series win, taking on the Wildcats Friday at 6:35 p.m., Saturday at 6:05 p.m. and Sunday at 12:05 p.m.

Arkansas Head Coach Dave Van Horn on the midweek performance: “I think it’s been a good two days for our team. We got to play a couple of games where it went real well for us on the mound and offensively. We played pretty good defense with only one error in two days. We got to play some guys and put pitchers out there that have not been out there in a while. They all did pretty well for the most part and hopefully they will be a little more confident than they did before these two games. We feel better about putting guys in the ball game. I thought some hitters stayed hot or even got on track. (Tyler) Spoon, Andrew (Benintendi), and Joe (Serrano) have all been swinging it well.

Van Horn on Andrew Benintendi’s offensive surge this season: “We knew he was going to hit some home runs. I think he is very confident. He has a little leverage in the swing. When he gets that barrel to the ball, it jumps. It’s been good to see. There are a lot of guys in the country who are bigger and stronger but he’s a really good baseball player. He’s a tough out. I believe he will continue to swing the bat well throughout the year.”

Game Notes

• Arkansas recorded its third shutout of the season and improved to 11-2 when holding opponents to two runs or less.
• Arkansas hit multiple home runs in a game for the ninth time and scored double-digit runs for the eighth time this season.
• The Razorbacks have recorded double-digit hits 17 times this year, including four of the last five games.
• Arkansas notched its 12th game with double-digit strikeouts.
• James Teague fanned a career-high six batters in his 4.0 innings of work.
• Carson Shaddy’s first career grand slam gave him a career-high four RBI.
• Andrew Benintendi recorded his first career two-homer game and is tied for the NCAA lead with 11 home runs.
• Tyler Spoon used a three-run double to extend his hitting current streak to 10 games and give him two separate 10-game hitting streaks on the year.

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