2008 Woodie Awards
Extra inning dramatics boost Hogs
Arkansas takes second straight SEC series with 5-4 win
Matt Jones
Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: Sports
Ben Tschepikow's game-winning run Saturday against Tennessee went down in the boxscore as unearned, but the senior earned every bit of the run with heads-up base-running.
After reaching base on a fielding error, Tschepikow found his way home when Tennessee shortstop Danny Lima lost a Brett Eibner pop-up in the sun and wind, giving Arkansas a 5-4 win over the Volunteers and more importantly a second straight Southeastern Conference series win.
"He never broke stride," Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. "It was great hustle by Ben and a great comeback win for us."
The Hogs (22-16, 7-9 SEC) didn't lead until a 2-run seventh inning blast by Ryan Cisterna put Arkansas up 4-3.
It was Cisterna's second home run of the game and third of the series as the catcher extended his hitting streak to seven games. Cisterna credits a change in his swing to his recent success.
"It's helped me a lot," Cisterna said. "Now I'm trying to get good pitches to hit and do something with them."
While his offense was clutch, Cisterna's defense might have saved the day for the Razorbacks in the top of the tenth inning. The junior threw out Tennessee designated hitter Jeff Lockwood stealing second base to record the second out of the inning.
"I was just trying to get the ball down there as quick as possible," Cisterna said. "It was a curveball. Luckily it was up for me. I was just trying to get rid of the ball. I didn't want that guy getting in scoring position."
Cisterna's first home run came in the third inning, a solo shot over the left field fence to tie the game at 1-1.
Tennessee (22-16, 9-8 SEC) scored the game's first run on a solo home run of its own from Josh Liles in the second inning.
The Vols added on two more run in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively, and held a 3-1 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.
Tennessee left-hander Bryan Morgado pitched brilliantly and had allowed just three hits entering the inning.
After reaching base on a fielding error, Tschepikow found his way home when Tennessee shortstop Danny Lima lost a Brett Eibner pop-up in the sun and wind, giving Arkansas a 5-4 win over the Volunteers and more importantly a second straight Southeastern Conference series win.
"He never broke stride," Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. "It was great hustle by Ben and a great comeback win for us."
The Hogs (22-16, 7-9 SEC) didn't lead until a 2-run seventh inning blast by Ryan Cisterna put Arkansas up 4-3.
It was Cisterna's second home run of the game and third of the series as the catcher extended his hitting streak to seven games. Cisterna credits a change in his swing to his recent success.
"It's helped me a lot," Cisterna said. "Now I'm trying to get good pitches to hit and do something with them."
While his offense was clutch, Cisterna's defense might have saved the day for the Razorbacks in the top of the tenth inning. The junior threw out Tennessee designated hitter Jeff Lockwood stealing second base to record the second out of the inning.
"I was just trying to get the ball down there as quick as possible," Cisterna said. "It was a curveball. Luckily it was up for me. I was just trying to get rid of the ball. I didn't want that guy getting in scoring position."
Cisterna's first home run came in the third inning, a solo shot over the left field fence to tie the game at 1-1.
Tennessee (22-16, 9-8 SEC) scored the game's first run on a solo home run of its own from Josh Liles in the second inning.
The Vols added on two more run in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively, and held a 3-1 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.
Tennessee left-hander Bryan Morgado pitched brilliantly and had allowed just three hits entering the inning.
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