2008 Woodie Awards
Razorbacks hope to keep hot bats going
Cory Crawford
Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: Sports
The Arkansas Razorbacks look to continue their offensive explosion this weekend as the Sienna Saints come to Baum Stadium.
Arkansas (8-1) has scored 57 runs in the past five games, including 33 runs in the Wednesday doubleheader against South Dakota State.
"For the most part, we are swinging pretty well right now," Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. "The young guys are relaxed now, and you can tell by the way they are playing."
Freshmen Brett Eibner and Andy Wilkins along with senior Aaron Murphree have led the offensive surge.
Eibner his hitting .542, Wilkins .379 and Murphree has been on a tear recently, nailing six home runs in the last five games, giving him seven on the year. Murphree also leads the team in RBIs with 20 and boasts a 1.171 slugging percentage.
"We are all just seeing the ball real well," Eibner said. "People are swinging the bat. [Murphree] is probably seeing the ball about as big as a beach ball right now."
As a team, the Hogs are hitting .312 with 17 home runs and 80 runs scored in nine games.
The Arkansas pitching staff has relied heavily on its bullpen. No Razorback pitcher averages four innings per appearance, but the bullpen has been effective for the Diamond Hogs.
The Razorback relievers have a 2.09 ERA, pitching 51.2 innings in the nine games.
Sienna (1-6) will continue their tough schedule with Arkansas.
The Saints have played a series at Florida and a tournament in Virginia, featuring two games against the host No. 16 Cavaliers.
"They play a tremendous schedule," Van Horn said. "They are fearless. With the facilities and the crowd, they are not going to be intimidated at all."
Sienna dropped its first six games, allowing at least 10 runs in three of those games, but the Saints got in the win column with an 8-5 win over Cornell.
Jason DeFillippo is leading the way for the Saints with a .438 average, and Jacob Willis has provided most of the power this season with three of the Saints' seven home runs.
On the mound, Sienna sports a 7.29 team ERA, but Craig Chaput has been a bright spot with a 2.45 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 11 innings of work.
Weather could play a role in the weekend. The forecasted snow showers could postpone the Friday contest and force another doubleheader on the Hogs this week.
"The weather is not looking good for Friday," Van Horn said. "But hopefully the weather will let us get all the games in, whether we have to play two Saturday or Sunday."
The first game is scheduled for 6:35 p.m., Friday and the series will continue Saturday at 12:05 p.m., and Sunday at 12:05 p.m.
Arkansas (8-1) has scored 57 runs in the past five games, including 33 runs in the Wednesday doubleheader against South Dakota State.
"For the most part, we are swinging pretty well right now," Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. "The young guys are relaxed now, and you can tell by the way they are playing."
Freshmen Brett Eibner and Andy Wilkins along with senior Aaron Murphree have led the offensive surge.
Eibner his hitting .542, Wilkins .379 and Murphree has been on a tear recently, nailing six home runs in the last five games, giving him seven on the year. Murphree also leads the team in RBIs with 20 and boasts a 1.171 slugging percentage.
"We are all just seeing the ball real well," Eibner said. "People are swinging the bat. [Murphree] is probably seeing the ball about as big as a beach ball right now."
As a team, the Hogs are hitting .312 with 17 home runs and 80 runs scored in nine games.
The Arkansas pitching staff has relied heavily on its bullpen. No Razorback pitcher averages four innings per appearance, but the bullpen has been effective for the Diamond Hogs.
The Razorback relievers have a 2.09 ERA, pitching 51.2 innings in the nine games.
Sienna (1-6) will continue their tough schedule with Arkansas.
The Saints have played a series at Florida and a tournament in Virginia, featuring two games against the host No. 16 Cavaliers.
"They play a tremendous schedule," Van Horn said. "They are fearless. With the facilities and the crowd, they are not going to be intimidated at all."
Sienna dropped its first six games, allowing at least 10 runs in three of those games, but the Saints got in the win column with an 8-5 win over Cornell.
Jason DeFillippo is leading the way for the Saints with a .438 average, and Jacob Willis has provided most of the power this season with three of the Saints' seven home runs.
On the mound, Sienna sports a 7.29 team ERA, but Craig Chaput has been a bright spot with a 2.45 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 11 innings of work.
Weather could play a role in the weekend. The forecasted snow showers could postpone the Friday contest and force another doubleheader on the Hogs this week.
"The weather is not looking good for Friday," Van Horn said. "But hopefully the weather will let us get all the games in, whether we have to play two Saturday or Sunday."
The first game is scheduled for 6:35 p.m., Friday and the series will continue Saturday at 12:05 p.m., and Sunday at 12:05 p.m.
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