Razorback Report: Week 6

Overall Record: 18-7
SEC Record: 4-2
Streak: L1

In the Polls – March 16
D1Baseball – #4
Baseball America – #5
NCBWA – #5
Perfect Game – #5
USA Today Coaches – #7

Week 6 Results (4-1)
Tuesday, March 17 – Northern Colorado – W, 13-2 (8)
Wednesday, March 18 – Northern Colorado – W, 9-4
Friday, March 20 – at South Carolina * – W, 22-6 (7)
Saturday, March 21 – at South Carolina * – W, 3-2 (10)
Sunday, March 22 – at South Carolina * – L, 9-4

* SEC opponent

Week 7 Schedule
Tuesday, March 24 – UCA – 6 p.m. [SEC Network+]
Friday, March 27 – Florida * – 6 p.m. [SEC Network+]
Saturday, March 28 – Florida * – 1 p.m. [SEC Network+]
Sunday, March 29 – Florida * – 12 p.m. [SEC Network]

* SEC opponent

Player of the Week
OF Damian Ruiz

Stats (5 GP/5 GS): .474/.630/1.053, 9 R, 9 H, 2 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 8 BB, 1 SB

Damian Ruiz led Arkansas to a double midweek series sweep against Northern Colorado at Baum-Walker Stadium and a road series win against South Carolina, slashing .474/.630/1.053 with nine runs, nine hits, including two doubles and three home runs, eight RBI, eight walks and one stolen base. Ruiz hit his first home run of the season  in the Hogs’ 13-2 run-rule win against the Bears. The Razorback outfielder homered twice and finished with four RBI in the series against the Gamecocks.

Pitcher of the Week
LHP Hunter Dietz

Stats (1 APP/1 GS): 2.70 ERA, 6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 12 SO

Hunter Dietz’s strong outing on the mound helped Arkansas secure a road weekend series win at South Carolina. The Razorback left-hander logged his team-leading third quality start of the season in Saturday’s series-clinching win, firing 6.2 innings of two-run ball with a career high-matching 12 strikeouts against the Gamecocks.

Freshman of the Week
RHP Peyton Lee

Stats (1 APP/1 GS): 0.00 ERA, 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO

Peyton Lee logged the best outing of his rookie campaign in the double midweek series-opening win against Northern Colorado. The Razorback right-hander, making his third start of the season on the mound, twirled a career-long five scoreless innings while striking out a career-high six batters to earn his first collegiate win.

Razorback Notes

• OF Damian Ruiz’s first home run as a Razorback was a 386-foot shot to left field in the first inning of game 1 against Northern Colorado.
• Arkansas wore green caps in game 1 against Northern Colorado for the first time since 2009.
• The Razorbacks’ 22-6 game 1 victory against South Carolina (March 20) is the largest margin of victory in a true road game of the Dave Van Horn era.
• Arkansas’ 22 runs against the Gamecocks in game 1 are its second-most runs ever scored in an SEC game.
• OF Kuhio Aloy’s 450-foot home run in game 1 against South Carolina is the Razorbacks’ longest of the year.
• Arkansas has opened SEC play with back-to-back series wins for the third consecutive season after defeating South Carolina.
• OF Zack Stewart reached 200 hits for his career after he doubled to left center in the second inning of game 3 against the Gamecocks.