College Baseball: NO. 6 ARKANSAS 14, BUCKNELL 2

Starting with a blast: Hogs baseball team gets rolling early in opener

Arkansas second baseman Carson Shaddy wears a hog hat after hitting a home run during a game against Bucknell on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, in Fayetteville.
Arkansas second baseman Carson Shaddy wears a hog hat after hitting a home run during a game against Bucknell on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Blaine Knight pitched a beauty, freshman Heston Kjerstad opened with a hot bat and the Arkansas Razorbacks' baseball team pounded Bucknell 14-2 on Friday for its 24th consecutive season-opening victory.

Knight (1-0), the junior right-hander from Bryant, threw five hitless innings and earned an opening-day victory for the second year in a row before an estimated crowd of 3,619 on a chilly afternoon at Baum Stadium.

ADVERTISEMENT

More headlines

The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville backed Knight with four runs in the first inning, then six in the second, punctuated by Carson Shaddy's three-run home run.

The Razorbacks racked up 12 hits, six for extra bases, and drew 15 walks against a Bison pitching staff that has not had as much outdoor practice time at home in Lewisburg, Pa.

"I thought our pitching staff did a tremendous job," said Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn, who is 16-0 in openers at his alma mater.

"We basically just pounded the strike zone for most of the night. A lot of different arm slots and angles and good velocity."

Knight threw 67 pitches, allowed 2 walks, struck out 4 and did not allow a runner to reach second base. He had some lengthy stints between innings, particularly the bottom of the seventh, that challenged his ability to keep his right arm warm with the temperature in the low 40s.

"That was actually a problem today," Knight said. "If it's warm, it's not a big issue. But with it being cold ... I had three jackets on an a heat sleeve. I had everything else on."

Freshman Kole Ramage gave up a hit in two innings behind Knight, followed by freshman Bryce Bonnin, who allowed two unearned runs with one hit in the eighth. Barrett Loseke closed with a perfect ninth that included two strikeouts.

Kjerstad, Arkansas' left fielder, had hits in his first three at-bats, including a two-out single in the first to drive in Jax Biggers, who opened the inning with a bunt single, for Arkansas' first run.

"I had a lot of emotions from nervousness to knowing I was ready for that at-bat and I've been waiting for that bat ever since I've been here in the fall," Kjerstad said. "And then as soon as I made contact with the ball and I saw it go through the hole, I felt like I had a flash, remembering that moment forever."

Kjerstad, who hit in the five spot in the order, finished 3 for 4 with three runs scored.

No. 3 hitter Eric Cole had two hits and an RBI.

Shaddy, a senior from Fayetteville, joked around with Van Horn during batting practice before the game about never expecting to see his name in the No. 9 spot in the batting order on opening day.

Shaddy drew a run-scoring walk in the first inning as the Razorbacks batted around. Then he came up with catcher Grant Koch and third baseman Jared Gates aboard with two outs in the second after the Hogs had already scored two runs after doubles by Dominic Fletcher and Kjerstad and Luke Bonfield's RBI single.

"I knew they were going to try to throw me middle away, so my approach was take everything to right field," Shaddy said. "The wind was blowing out that way, so it helps your confidence. They threw me a ball high and outside ... and I was just trying to be aggressive and hit the first good pitch I could find."

Bucknell starter Connor Van Hoose, the preseason pitcher of the year in the Patriot League, recorded just four outs. The right-hander gave up 7 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks and committed the first balk of his career.

"I think Connor just got out of sync there for a little bit," Bucknell Coach Scott Heather said. "He's a strike thrower usually. I think the balk got to him a little bit and he really lost his strike zone for a little bit. They've got a good lineup top to bottom, and you can't lose your focus or they're going to put up runs."

Bucknell broke through with two runs in the eighth inning against the Hogs' backup infielders and Bonnin making his college debut.

Casey Martin mishandled a Mike Korchak grounder to second base to open the inning. Luke Hartman followed with a shot over the third base bag that Easton Murrell could not backhand and went for a two-base error. Freshman pinch hitter Dominic Toso brought them both home with a sharp single to center field.

Bonnin rallied to get a strikeout and a double play to get out of the inning.

The teams are scheduled to play at 11:30 a.m. today with Arkansas right-hander Isaiah Campbell pitching against Bucknell lefty Jack Grabeck, who had a 2-7 record and 8.62 ERA last year.

Sports on 02/17/2018

Upcoming Events