Hogs Face Bears in Natural State Showdown
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Razorbacks’ first in-state showdown of the season is on deck.
No. 2 Arkansas (9-2) hosts UCA (7-6) on Tuesday, March 5, at Baum-Walker Stadium. First pitch between the Hogs and Bears is scheduled for 3 p.m. on SEC Network+ with Brett Dolan (play-by-play) and Troy Eklund (analyst) on the call.
The Razorbacks are 16-2 all-time against in-state opponents, including a 4-0 overall record against the Bears since 1960. Arkansas also touts a 5-0 record against UAPB, a 3-0 record against Arkansas State and a 4-2 record against Little Rock.
Schedule
Tuesday, March 5
UCA vs. #2 Arkansas – 3 p.m. – SEC Network+ – Listen – Live Stats
On the Mound
Tuesday, March 5
UCA – RHP Bryce Parlin (0-1, 10.94 ERA)
Arkansas – LHP Colin Fisher (2-1, 0.00 ERA)
Tune In
Brett Dolan (play-by-play) and Troy Eklund (analyst) have the call on SEC Network+. Tuesday’s game can also be heard on the Razorback Sports Network from Learfield, including locally in Fayetteville on 92.1 FM or through the Razorback app, with Chuck Barrett (play-by-play) and Bubba Carpenter (analyst) on the call. A full list of radio affiliates is available here.
History Lesson
Arkansas boasts a 4-0 overall series record against UCA since 1960, including a 3-0 mark at Baum-Walker Stadium. The Razorbacks and Bears have met every season since 2021, including twice during the 2022 campaign – once in Fayetteville and once in North Little Rock at Dickey-Stephens Park, home of the Arkansas Travelers.
Big Tuna
True freshman left-hander Colin Fisher is slated to make his third collegiate start in Tuesday’s game. The Noble, Okla., native is 2-1 with a 0.00 ERA, 11 strikeouts and zero earned runs allowed over the first 8.1 innings of his career.
Fisher made his collegiate debut on the mound in a start against James Madison on Feb. 19, twirling five shutout innings with four strikeouts to earn his first collegiate win. His second appearance came in relief against Oklahoma State on Feb. 24 at Globe Life Field, where he struck out six over 2.1 innings to earn SEC Co-Freshman of the Week honors.
He recorded his second collegiate win in his most recent midweek start against Grambling on Feb. 27. He completed an inning of work with one strikeout to extend his scoreless innings streak.
Serving Strikeouts
The Arkansas pitching staff leads the country in total strikeouts (163) and strikeouts per nine innings (14.8) through 11 games. Hagen Smith (31) is tied for No. 4 in the nation in total strikeouts, while Mason Molina (29) is tied for No. 11.
Over the last eight games, Razorback starting pitchers have allowed just three runs on 15 hits, including three solo homers, and eight walks while combining for a jaw-dropping 0.69 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 39.0 innings of work.
Good Start
The Hogs are 9-2 through their first 11 games of the 2024 season. Arkansas has gotten off to a 9-2 or better start 13 times under head coach Dave Van Horn, including in 2003-06, 2008, 2011-12, 2015-16, 2019, 2021 and 2023-24.
Last season, the Razorbacks went 18-2 through their first 20 games. Since 1960, Arkansas has jumped out to an 18-2 or better start through its first 20 games on eight occasions: 1982, 1995-96, 2003, 2005, 2012, 2019 and 2023.
Home Sweet Baum-Walker
The Razorbacks are 7-1 inside the friendly confines of Baum-Walker Stadium this season.
Last season, Arkansas went 32-6 (.842 winning percentage) at Baum-Walker Stadium. It was the Razorbacks’ fourth 30-win season at home since the stadium opened in 1996. Excluding the shortened 2020 campaign, the Hogs have won 28 games or more at home in six consecutive seasons, including a program-record 34 wins in 2018.
Season: Home Record // Overall Record (Postseason)
2017: 29-8 // 45-19 (Regional)
2018: 34-4 // 48-21 (College World Series)
2019: 33-7 // 46-20 (College World Series)
2020: N/A // N/A
2021: 30-8 // 50-13 (Super Regional)
2022: 28-7 // 46-21 (College World Series)
2023: 32-6 // 43-18 (Regional)
2024: 7-1 // TBD
For complete coverage of Arkansas baseball, follow the Hogs on Twitter (@RazorbackBSB), Instagram (@RazorbackBSB) and Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Baseball).
