The Traveler

Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Chris Bryan The Razorback baseball team returns to action Friday against No. 21 Florida. The Gators boast a 19-3 record at home.

Arkansas hasn't won a series since March 9, a three-game sweep of Siena, and while the palm trees outside of McKethan Stadium in Gainesville are warm and inviting to fans, they haven't been too kind to opposing teams.

It may not compare to football atmosphere at the Swamp, but No. 21 Florida baseball has a 19-3 record at home.

The Hogs haven't exactly been road warriors this season either, evident in their 3-7 record in true road games. Winning on the road in the SEC isn't just tough in basketball, as every conference team has a winning record at home.

Arkansas (17-14, 3-8 SEC) is only 3.5 games back despite its fifth-place standing in the Western division, while Florida (23-10, 8-4 SEC) has won three straight and is only one game from the best record in the conference.

The Gators potent lineup begins with table-setter Avery Barnes, a .381 hitter who is third in the SEC in stolen bases, with 17 steals in 19 attempts.

Sophomore Cole Figueroa hits third and is in the top five in the SEC in runs (39), RBIs (38), and steals (13-of-15).

"There's no question, he's our team leader," Florida head coach Kevin O'Sullivan said. "He does all the right things on and off the field."

Freshman cleanup hitter Josh Adams leads the team with six home runs and 13 doubles, and has swiped seven bases.

"Offensively, they do a great job," Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. "They put the bat on the ball, and they run hard. They're hard to turn two on. They've been very consistent."

The Gators lead the conference with 64 stolen bases and have only been caught stealing nine times as a team.

"We've been hustling out of the box and we've got good overall team speed," O'Sullivan said.

Florida's probable starters on the hill are sophomore Billy Bullock (3-2, 3.09 ERA) on Friday, junior Patrick Keating (5-0, 2.66) in Game 2 Saturday and freshman Tommy Toledo (4-2, 2.63) on Sunday.

"Their weekend starters have outstanding numbers, and they throw a lot of strikes," Van Horn said.

The Diamond Hogs are still trying to put a consistent lineup together, and it will be hard again this weekend with three regulars questionable for this weekend.

Continued...

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