Baseball: Ole Miss Rebels vs. Arkansas Razorbacks Preview

The No. 10 Ole Miss Rebels will attempt to strengthen their hosting and national seed resume this weekend as the Arkansas Razorbacks come to Swayze Field. The Rebels, who possess the No. 7 RPI, sit at 13-8 in the SEC and are tied with Alabama for first place in the SEC's Western division. Meanwhile, Arkansas currently sits at 10-11 in conference, and is tied for 5th in the Western division.

The Razorbacks are in a rebuilding year somewhat, but should not to be taken too lightly. There's plenty of talent on Dave Van Horn's squad, particularly on the bump. To keep the weekend wins coming, the Rebels really need to put together another strong performance against the Hogs and remain in the national discussion.

Coming into the weekend, the Rebels sit at or close to the top of almost all of the offensive categories in the SEC while the Razorbacks sit at the middle to the bottom of those same categories. Here, let's have a look:

Friday starter Trey Killian, a right handed sophomore, is 2-7 on the year in nine starts with a 2.30 ERA.  Trey has a really unfortunate record given his ERA and other stats.  Through 62.2 innings pitched, Killian has allowed 22 runs (16 earned) on 48 hits (eight extra base hits) while facing 219 batters on the season.  He has struck out 36 batters to go along with only 12 walks.  Opponents are hitting .219 off Trey this season.

Trey Killian will face off against righty Chris Ellis who is currently 6-0 with a 1.81 ERA for the Rebels.  Chris has 46 strikeouts in 69.2 innings pitched, and opponents are hitting .245 against him this season.

Saturday starter Jalen Beeks, a left handed junior, has a 5-3 record with a 1.60 ERA.  In 73 innings of work, Beeks has given up 18 runs (13 earned) off 54 hits, ten of those being extra base hits in 258 at bats.  Beeks leads the team with 58 strikeouts to go along with 16 walks.  Opponents are hitting .209 off Jalen this week.

Jalen Beeks will face off against lefty Christian Trent who is 6-0 with a 2.25 ERA.  Through 72.0 innings, Trent has struck out 58 men while only allowing 12 walks.  Opponents are hitting .264 this season off Christian.

Sunday starter Chris Oliver, right handed junior, is currently 5-4 on the year with a 3.05 ERA.  In 62 innings of pitching, Oliver has allowed 24 runs (21 earned) off 48 hits with only 7 extra base hits allowed in 214 at bats.  Oliver has 41 strikeouts to go along with 23 walks this season.  Opponents are hitting .224 off him this season.

Chris Oliver will be facing off against Sam Smith.  Sam had worked eight straight quality starts for the Rebels on Sunday before a rough outing at Kentucky.  Sam is currently 5-3 on the season with a 2.78 ERA.  In 64.2 innings of work, Sam has 36 strikeouts to go along with 14 walks.  Opponents are hitting .258 against Sam this season.

The Razorbacks have four guys coming out of the bullpen with an ERA of 1.88 or lower. Two guys to keep your eye on are closer Michael Gunn and reliever Jacob Stone. Gunn has a 0.38 ERA (.127 opponents' batting avg.) while Stone has a 0.39 ERA (.101 opponents' batting avg.) in 19 and 15 appearances respectively. Gunn has seven saves on the year and Jacob Stone has recorded one. Gunn is averaging 1.03 Ks per inning.

Team Stats:

• ERA: Arkansas 2.28 (2^nd in SEC, 9^th NCAA)
  Ole Miss 2.48 (4^th in SEC)
• Opposing Batting Average: Arkansas .204 (2^nd SEC)
  Ole Miss .235 (6^th SEC)
• Strikeouts: Arkansas 320 (8^th SEC)
  Ole Miss 349 (5^th SEC)
• Runs Allowed: Arkansas 135 (3^rd SEC)
  Ole Miss 143 (4^th SEC)
• Hits Allowed: Arkansas 295 (2^nd SEC)
  Ole Miss 363 (7^th SEC)

What an ass. Hotty Toddy.