Ole Miss (25-16, 9-9 SEC) is coming off a strong weekend performance against Missouri that saw them get up off the proverbial mat after a shellacking on Friday night and back-ending a series. But, the positive momentum was short-lived as the offense continued to suffocate itself by squandering opportunities with runners in scoring position in a loss against Mississippi State in Pearl Tuesday night.
Fast forward to now, the emotional roller coaster of a series win and being swept by your in-state rival is irrelevant. The Rebs must now focus all their energy on the No. 15-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks (33-10, 12-6 SEC). Mike Bianco’s club begins a ridiculous stretch to close out the year that sees them hitting the road for three of their final four conference series. All three against formidable opponents. So if Ole Miss is going to lock up a spot in the NCAA tournament field without having to hold their breath and bite off their fingernails on Selection Sunday, they will need to start by shocking the world in Fayetteville this weekend.
Dave Van Horn’s club comes in with an impressive overall record and only one game back in the West behind the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Despite coming off a series loss at the hands of Auburn, this Arkansas ball club can really swing it and will present a legitimate challenge to the Rebel arms who still lead the SEC in ERA (2.98), strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.39) and WHIP (1.14). The Razorbacks lead the conference in home runs (54) and are second in the league in batting average (.296), on-base percentage (.385) and runs per game (7.3).
The Hogs are led at the plate by Jax Biggers (.341, 3 HR, .486 slugging), Jake Arledge (.319, 3 HR, .438 on-base) and Luke Bonfield (.317, 7 HR, .509 slugging). Van Horn also has the luxury of strolling Chad Spanberger, Grant Koch and Carson Shaddy up to the plate who have combined for 26 dingers on the year. The Hogs are equally as impressive on the bump. Blaine Knight and Trevor Stephan have combined to go 10-4 with a 3.28 ERA on the weekend.
The numbers
Complete Ole Miss stats | Complete Arkansas stats
How to watch
Thursday
First pitch: 6 p.m. CT
TV: SEC Network
Online streaming: WatchESPN.com
Projected pitchers
Ole Miss: RHP James McArthur (2-3, 3.43 ERA)
Arkansas: RHP Blaine Knight (6-2, 3.13 ERA)
Friday
First pitch: 12 p.m. CT
TV: none
Online streaming: WatchESPN.com
Projected pitchers
Ole Miss: LHP Ryan Rolison (5-2, 1.88 ERA)
Arkansas: LHP Trevor Stephan (4-2, 3.42 ERA)
Saturday
First pitch: Immediately following the first game
TV: none
Online streaming: WatchESPN.com
Projected pitchers
Ole Miss: LHP David Parkinson (5-2, 3.09 ERA)
Arkansas: TBA