FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas accomplished its mission at Florida last week, grabbing a series win to remain in the mix for one of the NCAA’s 16 regional host sites.
Now the Razorbacks have a chance to take an even bigger step toward their postseason goal this weekend.
No. 18 Arkansas (33-13, 11-10 in Southeastern Conference) opens another important weekend series against No. 5 South Carolina (34-11, 14-7) at Baum Stadium tonight. It’s the second straight week Arkansas is playing a top 10 team and signals another opportunity to make a late-season impression. This time it’s against the 2010 and 2011 champs.
“It’s a big series for us,” third baseman Matt Reynolds said after Arkansas won its fourth straight game with a 2-0 win against Missouri on Wednesday. “It doesn’t mean the season. But we’re definitely going to go after them and give them our best shot.”
Arkansas is armed with plenty of confidence after winning the final two games at Florida. It helped the Razorbacks snap out of a month-long funk in which they lost three of four SEC series after a 5-1 start.
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Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn described the Florida series win as clearing a “major hurdle.” But he said the next task isn’t exactly an easy one, either.
South Carolina, which slumped to a 3-7 record to open conference play, has won 11 straight SEC games.
“They beat you in a lot of ways,’ Van Horn said. “They beat you with some solid defense. They beat you with really good pitching. It seems like lately their offense has really picked it up. … “We’ve got our hands full.”
South Carolina’s success begins on the mound with veteran left-hander Michael Roth (4-0, 2.57 ERA). The All-American has been a key component of South Carolina’s title runs and is vital once again.
Arkansas did enjoy rare success against Roth last season, collecting 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings during a 6-2 win at South Carolina. Reynolds and first baseman Dominic Ficociello combined to go 7-for-9, helping the Hogs hand Roth just his second loss of the season.
The success didn’t last. The Razorbacks lost the final two games of the series. Reynolds said they’re expecting Roth to be at his best tonight.
“He’s phenomenal,” Reynolds said. “He’s an all-American for a reason. He’s their Friday night guy for a reason. He’s got the attitude and he’s got the stuff to be a Friday night guy. It’s going to be a battle.”
But Arkansas believes its pitching is up to the task.
The Razorbacks — who lead the SEC in staff ERA (2.61) — limited the Gators to five runs in three games last weekend. It’s part of an eight-game stretch in which Arkansas has not allowed more than three runs.
Right-hander Ryne Stanek (6-3, 2.52 ERA) will start tonight’s game, while left-hander Randall Fant (2-2, 4.05 ERA) will be on the mound Saturday. Right-hander DJ Baxendale (6-2, 3.47 ERA) starts the series finale.
“(Tonight) is big for us,” Van Horn said. “If we can get through that, who knows?”
There’s no doubt another series win would be another impressive mark for Arkansas’ postseason resume.
The Razorbacks climbed four spots in the NCAA’s RPI last week, moving from No. 16 to No. 12 thanks to its series win against Florida (No. 2 in RPI). Arkansas has a chance to climb even more by winning a series against the Gamecocks, who are No. 9 in the NCAA’s RPI.
“I try not to dwell on it because I really don’t want the players worrying about it,” Van Horn said about the importance of the South Carolina series. “I just want them to play. But, obviously, if we can beat South Carolina, another top 10 ranked team in a series, it would definitely propel us maybe in front of a few people when you’re talking about down the road.”