Three Arkansas Pitchers Combine to No-hit Oklahoma State
MOBILE, Ala. – Three Arkansas pitchers combined to no-hit Oklahoma State in a 3-0 win on Saturday evening at Stanky Field at the Jaguar Invitational.
Nick Schmidt, Brian McLelland and Devin Collis registered the first no-hitter for the Hogs since Scott Roehl no-hit Kansas State on March 20, 2001, in Shreveport, La. It was the 12th no-hitter in school history. The Arkansas’ trio allowed just one Oklahoma State base runner to reach second base the entire game.
It was the first time in the 71-recorded years of Oklahoma State baseball that the Cowboys have been no-hit.
“The pitchers did a tremendous job,” Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. “We are really excited to see these guys go out there and have some success. We knew Schmidty (Schmidt) would be pretty good and I thought Brain McLelland came in and threw the ball pretty well. Then Devin Collis came in and threw the ball tremendous. They just did a good job and we made some nice plays in the field.”
Schmidt worked the first six innings to earn his first win of the season. He struck out six and walked three on 87 pitches. Schmidt’s night was finished in the bottom of the seventh inning as McLelland came on to pitch.
McLelland worked just one inning, recording two quick outs before issuing a pair of two-out walks. The junior from DeQueen, Ark., would work his way out of the jam by getting a fly ball to left field to end the inning.
Collis pitched the final two innings to earn his first career save. He struck out two while facing the minimum.
Oklahoma State’s starting pitcher Oliver Odle (0-1) turned in an outstanding performance as well. The right-handed junior college transfer from Connors State (Okla.) College pitched 5.1 scoreless innings before the Razorbacks got to him for three runs – two earned – in the top of the sixth inning. Odle walked three and struck out five while allowing five hits.
The Hogs’ rally started after Cowboys’ right fielder Keanon Simon opened the inning with a diving grab of Ben Tschepikow’s sinking line drive down the first-base line.
The Pokes’ shortstop Shelby Ford quickly negated the diving catch with a throwing error on a Danny Hamblin ground ball. Jake Dugger then singled to right field and Clint Arnold loaded the bases after getting hit by a pitch.
Brian Walker delivered the game-winning single to left field on a full count from Odle. Blake Parker followed with a RBI single up the middle to give the Razorbacks a 3-0 lead.
Dugger led Arkansas’ eight-hit attack with three hits and a run scored. Walker and Tschepikow both chipped in with two hits apiece.
Arkansas wraps up the opening weekend of the 2005 season on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. against tournament host South Alabama. Razorback senior Charley Boyce will make his first start of the season, while the USA infielder David Freese will make his first career start on the hill.
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