Razorback Report: Week 8

Overall Record: 20-13
SEC Record: 5-7
Streak: L1

In the Polls – March 30
Baseball America – #15
NCBWA – #15
USA Today Coaches – #16
D1Baseball – #17
Perfect Game – #19

Week 8 Results (1-3)
Tuesday, March 31 – at Missouri State – L, 15-14 (10)
Thursday, April 2– at #18 Auburn* – L, 10-2
Friday, April 3 – at #18 Auburn* – W, 3-2
Saturday, April 4 – at #18 Auburn* – L, 8-3

* SEC opponent

Week 8 Schedule
Tuesday, April 7 – Little Rock – 6 p.m. [SEC Network+]
Friday, April 10 – at #8 Alabama* – 6 p.m. [SEC Network+]
Saturday, April 11 – at #8 Alabama* – 4 p.m. [SEC Network]
Sunday, April 12 – at #8 Alabama* – 1 p.m. [SEC Network+]

* SEC opponent

Player of the Week
C Ryder Helfrick

Stats (4 GP/4 GS): .400/.444/1.200, 4 R, 6 H, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 2 BB

Ryder Helfrick led Arkansas against Missouri State (March 31) at Hammons Field and in their three-game series against Auburn (April 2-4) at Plainsman Park, slashing .400/.444/1.200 with four runs, six hits, four home runs, six runs batted in, and two walks. Helfrick walked in the first inning and homered to left field in the third inning against the Bears. The catcher hit two home runs, scored two runs, and accounted for all three runs batted for the Razorbacks in game 2 against the Tigers (April 3).

Pitcher of the Week
LHP Hunter Dietz

Stats (1 APP/1 GS): 1-0 W-L, 1.29 ERA, 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 11 SO

Hunter Dietz delivered another quality start for Arkansas in game 2 against Auburn (April 3). Over seven innings and 106 pitches of work, Dietz earned a win and allowed only six hits, one earned run, and accounted for 11 of the Razorbacks’ 14 strikeouts in their 3-2 victory against the Tigers.

Freshman of the Week
INF Carter Rutenbar

Stats (4 GP/4 GS): .353/.421/.471, 5 R, 6 H, 2 2B, 2 BB

Carter Rutenbar stood out in Arkansas’ game against Missouri State (March 31) and in their three-game series against Auburn (April 2-4) , slashing .353/.421/.471 with five runs, six hits, two doubles, and two walks. Rutenbar walked and scored in the first inning and fourth innings, singled to right field in the seventh inning, and scored a third time against the Bears. The infielder singled through the left side in the second inning and doubled down the left field line in the fourth inning of game 2 (April 3) and singled to the shortstop and scored in the second inning of game 3 against the Tigers (April 4).

Razorback Notes

• OF Christian Turner hit his first collegiate home run to left field in Arkansas’ 15-14 loss against Missouri State (March 31).
• C Ryder Helfrick, who has hit seven home runs in his last nine games, was selected to the midseason watch lists for the Buster Posey Award and Golden Spikes Award as well as named a midseason All-American by Perfect Game Midseason All-American.
• LHP Cole Gibler was also named a midseason All-American by Perfect Game.