GAME 52 THREAD: #14 Arkansas(37-14,16-10 SEC) at #22Texas A&M(35-18, 15-12 SEC)

[A_R_K_A_N_S_A_S]

#14 ARKANSAS vs #22 Texas A&M
at Blue Bell Park, College Station, Texas   Thursday at 6:30PM

[A_R_K_A_N_S_A_S]

 
WELCOME TO RAZORBACK BASEBALL 2017 - HOGVILLE.net OFFICIAL GAME 52 THREAD
   #14 ARKANSAS (37-14, 16-10 SEC) at #22 Texas A&M (35-18, 15-12 SEC)

This is game 1 of a 3 game SEC series with Texas A&M and is the final series of the regular season.
 
THURSDAY's First Pitch is set for 6:30pm and WILL NOT BE TELEVISED . This game will be streamed live online on SEC Network Plus accessible at WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app. Game 2 will be on Friday, also at 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network+, while Saturday's Game 3 WILL BE TELEVISED on the SEC Network at 11 a.m.

Play-by-Play Narrative:
For many years, Hogville members who love Razorback Baseball have come together to produce these game threads with play-by-play narrative for those that depend on it as their only source and for those that just simply enjoy it. These threads have been a foundation for great Hogville discussions and that tradition continues today as this is NOT a read only thread (all Hogville posting rules apply).

Maddhog  will provide the play-by-play narrative for this game.  Razorbacks#1, A_R_K_A_N_S_A_S, JHicks3636, Wisco Pig, sir-pigs-a-lot, JHGiunta, ucahogfan, will assist with stats, back up, and support. We hope that the many other regular posters will join in also and continue to add quality input. If you are new to the Extra Innings - Razorback Baseball Game Threads and you understand the rules, feel free to join in the conversations. If you have questions, read this:  http://www.hogville.net/yabbse/index.php?topic=626632.0
















Click below for: The Fight Song:
http://fightmusic.com/mp3/sec/Arkansas__Arkansas_Fight_Song__(Play,_Sing,_Play).mp3

Click below for: University Of Arkansas Alma Mater 
http://fightmusic.com/mp3/sec/Arkansas__University_Of_Arkansas_Alma_Mater.mp3

[A_R_K_A_N_S_A_S]

Link provided by "sevenof400"

TIME TO CALL THE HOGS!

[A_R_K_A_N_S_A_S]

EXTENDED: AccuWeather Forecast, College Station, Texas
http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/college-station-tx/77840/daily-weather-forecast/346069?day=2

THURSDAY's HOURLY FORECAST:
http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/college-station-tx/77840/hourly-weather-forecast/346069?hour=41

FRIDAY's HOURLY FORECAST:
http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/college-station-tx/77840/hourly-weather-forecast/346069?hour=65

SATURDAY's  HOURLY FORECAST:
http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/college-station-tx/77840/hourly-weather-forecast/346069?hour=81

College Station Radar
http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/college-station-tx/77840/weather-radar/346069

[A_R_K_A_N_S_A_S]

 












TEAM COMPARISONS:
                                                                                 | Nat'l |   Runs  |  Runs    |Runs |             
                   |   W/L   | RPI   |  NPI |  SOS |Conference  | Rank | Scored | Allowed | +/-  |  Streaks    | Last 10|
        A&M     | 35-18  |  37  |   41 |   53  | SEC 15-12    | #22   |   6.3    |  3.9      | +2.4|   3 losses  | 5-5     |
        ARK     | 37-14   | 18   |  16  |   43  | SEC 16-10   | #14   |   6.7     |  4.2      | +2.5|   1  win    | 5-5     |


     TEXAS A&M                 OFFENSE                           ARKANSAS
.278............................. Batting Avg....................................  .284
.421..............................Slugging Pct...................................  .448
.366............................On-Base Pct....................................   .370
94.................................... Doubles.........................................70
20......................................Triples..........................................9
43.................................Home Runs.......................................66
215......................................Walks......................................200
55-of-81................. Stolen Bases/Att...............................22-of-36

    TEXAS A&M             PITCHING/DEFENSE            ARKANSAS
3.22..................................... ERA......................................   3.84
483.0....................... Innings Pitched................................    452.0
0..............................Complete Games....................................... 1
11........................................ Saves.........................................10
2.57..................... Strikeout/Walk Ratio................................   3.01
.232..........................Opponent's Avg...................................  .239
52......................................Errors........................................... 39
44................................Double Plays........................................34




THURSDAY'S STARTING PITCHER- ARKANSAS:
Trevor Stephan  - RHP:
     era    w-l   app-gs   cg    sho   sv    ip     h     r     er    bb    so   2b  3b   hr   ab     b/avg   wp   hbp   bk   
     3.21  5-3    13-13    1     1/0   0   70.0  56   31   25    14    93    9   1     6   263     .213     3     9      0   

FRIDAY'S STARTING PITCHER- ARKANSAS:
Blaine Knight  - RHP
     era    w-l   app-gs   cg    sho   sv    ip     h     r     er    bb    so   2b  3b   hr   ab     b/avg   wp   hbp   bk
    3.50   6-4    13-13    0     0/1   0   72.0  63   29   28    16    77   14  0     8   272     .232     4      3     3

SATURDAY'S STARTING PITCHER- ARKANSAS:
    TBD

ARKANSAS GAME/SERIES NOTES:  http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Texas-AM-Notes.pdf

ARKANSAS PREVIEW:  http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/final-regular-season-weekend-pits-arkansas-at-texas-am/#sm.00001jlujzxeida2yt42hd3mnux32

ARKANSAS SEASON STATS: http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/teamcume-3.htm

ARKANSAS SEASON STATS: (SEC GAMES ONLY)     http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/teamcume-3.htm#TEAM.MLC





A&M THURSDAY's STARTING PITCHER:
Brigham Hill (Jr., RHP)
     era    w-l   app-gs   cg    sho   sv    ip     h     r     er    bb    so   2b  3b   hr   ab     b/avg   wp   hbp   bk
    2.93   7-3   13-13     0     0-3   0   80.0  68   26   26    23    88   10   1    4   293     .232     4     9      0

A&M FRIDAY's STARTING PITCHER:
Corbin Martin (Jr., RHP)
    era    w-l   app-gs   cg    sho   sv    ip     h     r     er    bb    so   2b  3b   hr   ab     b/avg   wp   hbp   bk
   3.12   5-3     20-9    0     0-0    0   66.1  60   27    23   33    66    8   0     4   251     .239     8      2     0

A&M SATURDAY's STARTING PITCHER:
Stephen Kolek (So., RHP)
    era    w-l   app-gs   cg    sho   sv    ip     h     r     er    bb    so   2b  3b   hr   ab     b/avg   wp   hbp   bk
   3.46   3-3   13-13     0     0-0    0  75.1  68   32    29   19    68   16   3    4   279     .244     7      7     0

A&M PREVIEW:  http://12thman.com/news/2017/5/17/baseball-series-preview-arkansas.aspx

A&M GAME/ SERIES NOTES: http://12thman.com/documents/2017/5/17//26_ARKANSAS.pdf

A&M BASEBALL WEBSITE:  http://www.12thman.com/index.aspx?path=baseball

A&M SEASON STATS:  http://www.12thman.com/cumestats.aspx?path=baseball&year=2017&&;

A&M SEASON STATS (SEC GAMES ONLY) :  http://www.12thman.com/cumestats.aspx?path=baseball&year=2017&&;

A&M ROSTER: http://www.12thman.com/roster.aspx?path=baseball&;

[A_R_K_A_N_S_A_S]

:razorback:


                                                                    
                                                                                                                           
                             0               6:30 p.m.                   0

                   
                  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | -  |  R |  H  | E  |LOB
ARK          |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    | -  |  0  |  0  | 0  | 0   
A&M         |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    | -  |  0  |  0  | 0  | 0   


       

                 

[Kevin]

Go Hogs Go!!

we made some magic down there last time. Let's do it again

[bosshog84]

I think we're trending up at the right time! Let's take this series and get a regional at Baum! Has DVH announced the rotation this weekend?

[DiamondHogFan]

I think we're trending up at the right time! Let's take this series and get a regional at Baum! Has DVH announced the rotation this weekend?

I'm curious to know about the rotation as well.  I like what Stephan is doing right now so I would hate to mess with his mojo.  I say let him start the Thursday game and have Knight on Friday.

[Wisco Pig]

According to Tom Murphy at the article linked below, "Junior right-hander Trevor Stephan (5-3, 3.21 ERA) is slated to start Thursday's 6:30 p.m. opener, while sophomore right-hander Blaine Knight (6-4, 3.50) will start Friday's 6:30 p.m. game."

Unless I simply missed it, the article does not mention a Saturday starter.

http://www.wholehogsports.com/news/2017/may/17/hogs-can-rise-or-fall-vs-a-m-20170517/

[jbell96]

According to Tom Murphy at the article linked below, "Junior right-hander Trevor Stephan (5-3, 3.21 ERA) is slated to start Thursday's 6:30 p.m. opener, while sophomore right-hander Blaine Knight (6-4, 3.50) will start Friday's 6:30 p.m. game."

Unless I simply missed it, the article does not mention a Saturday starter.

http://www.wholehogsports.com/news/2017/may/17/hogs-can-rise-or-fall-vs-a-m-20170517/

I may be wrong, but I don't think DVH has announced a series finale starter most of the season, as it is usually listed as TBD. Earlier this year, some of the bullpen guys joked that TBD was Alberius' new last name since it was usually him starting game 3.

[DiamondHogFan]

I may be wrong, but I don't think DVH has announced a series finale starter most of the season, as it is usually listed as TBD. Earlier this year, some of the bullpen guys joked that TBD was Alberius' new last name since it was usually him starting game 3.

After last weekend, I don't think there is any reason to believe it will be anyone other than Taccolini.  Unless we get in a big bind on Thursday or Friday and HAVE to use him then.

[A_R_K_A_N_S_A_S]

After last weekend, I don't think there is any reason to believe it will be anyone other than Taccolini.  Unless we get in a big bind on Thursday or Friday and HAVE to use him then.

Agree.
And, there is this:
Taccolini To Emerge as Hogs Sunday Starter?
http://www.nwahomepage.com/razorback-nation/taccolini-emerges-as-hogs-sunday-starter/714413202

"I felt good early," Taccolini observed. "I was pounding the zone with my fastball. Later on I kind of--once I got a runner on it took me a while to get used to it and that's where you saw me in the fifth. I was missing too much with my fastball and it showed when I walked the nine-hole."

Catcher Grant Koch was impressed with his batterymate's return to the mound telling reporters, "Dom, coming out, hadn't thrown in a while and I had a hundred percent confidence in him in every pitch. You know what I mean? In every pitch and every count that stuff's there and it's going to get swings and misses. He did an unreal job."

Van Horn was also impressed for an additional reason: "We're trying to find that third starter and maybe he can be the guy. He's got experience. He's been a Friday starter, Saturday starter and now he got a Sunday start and it went pretty good. So he's old and been around. It's time for him to step it up and he really did today."

----------------------

TACCOLINI TAKES CHARGE - Making his first
appearance in nearly a month, let alone his first
start in two months, senior Dominic Taccolini was
the Sunday savior last week against Vanderbilt.
Even though he only threw 4.2 innings, he still got
the victory, giving up just one run on three hits.
The Hogs have yet to lose a game that Taccolini
has pitched in this season (14 games). He has
seven appearances of three innings or more this
year and hasn't given up more than one earned
run in eight of his last nine outings.

[jbell96]

After last weekend, I don't think there is any reason to believe it will be anyone other than Taccolini.  Unless we get in a big bind on Thursday or Friday and HAVE to use him then.

Oh I think it will be him too, unless something crazy happens in the first two games, like you said, but I was just saying DVH has never really named a starter for game 3 even though he knows who he has in mind.

[bosshog84]

I think it has to be Taco getting the Saturday start. If he can consistently be in the mid 90's with his fastball with that kind of movement, it is going to be a huge lift for our rotation going forward. Stephan really set the tone with his Friday start against Vandy. Without him I don't know if we win that game or the series for that matter. I'm really excited that DVH has announced him as our starter tomorrow.

[A_R_K_A_N_S_A_S]

Ranked by SEC winning %.                         

                                 SEC              SEC     Overall               This
RPI   Team               Record   GB    Win %  Record              Weekend
5   Florida                19-8       --    0.704     38-14             vs Kentucky
12  LSU                    18-9      1.0   0.667     35-17             at Mississippi State
7   Kentucky            18-9      1.0   0.667     37-16             at Florida
24  Mississippi St      17-10     2.0   0.630     34-19             vs LSU
18  Arkansas            16-10     2.5   0.615     37-14             at Texas A&M
37  Texas A&M         15-12     4.0   0.556     35-18             vs Arkansas
43  Auburn               14-13     5.0   0.519     32-21             vs Ole Miss
23  Vanderbilt           13-13     5.5   0.500     31-21            vs Alabama
34  Ole Miss              13-14     6.0   0.481     31-22            at Auburn
31  So Carolina         12-15     7.0   0.444     31-21            vs Georgia
65  Missouri              11-16     8.0   0.407     32-21            at Tennessee
89  Georgia                9-18    10.0   0.333    23-30            at South Carolina
40  Tennessee            7-18    11.0   0.280    27-22            vs Missouri
174  Alabama             5-22    14.0   0.185    19-32            at Vanderbilt
 

[lakecityhog]

Based on the above schedule, I would like to see:
Florida sweep Kentucky------ Maybe take Kentucky out of host talk??
LSU take 2 of 3 from Miss St.(would LOVE a sweep)----- LSU is going to host regardless, maybe knock out MSU??
Arkansas take 2 of 3 from Texas A&M(would LOVE a sweep)----Finishing in the top 4 of the SEC should get us a host spot.
Ole Miss take 2 of 3 from Auburn---- Both would finish with .500 records.

[A_R_K_A_N_S_A_S]

TEXAS A&M's PREVIEW,  GAME AND SERIES NOTES, and all 3 starting pitchers with stats are now posted in Reply #4 above.

[lakecityhog]

Pitching appears to be pretty even, doesn't look like we will be facing anyone the caliber of Vandy's guys!

[A_R_K_A_N_S_A_S]

Arkansas' Preview and Series and Game Notes are now up and links are posted in Reply #4 up above.

HOGS HAVE CHANCE AT WESTERN DIVISION
CROWN GOING INTO FINAL WEEKEND - With
just three games left in the 2017 regular season,
the Razorbacks are still in play for the SEC
Western Division crown. The Hogs are just a
game and a half back of division leader LSU, and
a half-game behind Mississippi State. At 16-10
in conference play, the Razorbacks have made
a nine-game turnaround from a year ago. With
37 wins on the year, Arkansas is just three away
from its ninth 40-win season under Dave Van
Horn. The Hogs have won three of their last four
series against the Aggies dating back to 2013,
including a series win in College Station in 2015.

[jbell96]

Based on the above schedule, I would like to see:
Florida sweep Kentucky------ Maybe take Kentucky out of host talk??
LSU take 2 of 3 from Miss St.(would LOVE a sweep)----- LSU is going to host regardless, maybe knock out MSU??
Arkansas take 2 of 3 from Texas A&M(would LOVE a sweep)----Finishing in the top 4 of the SEC should get us a host spot.
Ole Miss take 2 of 3 from Auburn---- Both would finish with .500 records.

The only thing getting swept by UF will do to UK is knock them out of consideration for a national seed. UK is currently 7th in the RPI and has 18 wins against the RPI top 50, they'll be hosting.

[hogfan14]

Saw where A&M's first baseman is out for the series, I'll take all the advantages we can get

[Hawgzinbowlz]

           Stolen bases/attempts 
aTm        .........55-of-81
Arkansas .........22-of-36

Looks like the Aggies like to run.

" GO OMAHOGS "

[JHicks3636]

Last chances to show what we have and earn a Regional. I want to be at Baum in 2 weeks for baseball.

[dotnet]

There have been games this year where Hill was on and looked as dominant as anyone.  Then other games... not so much.

I think DVH is Tenner as an opportunity to set the rotation for the post season in a way that maximizes the team's chances to win the regional.

[ricepig]

https://twitter.com/RazorbackBSB/status/865338714310012928

[JHicks3636]

https://twitter.com/RazorbackBSB/status/865338714310012928

Biggers shooting up in the order. LOL

[ricepig]

Biggers shooting up in the order. LOL

Where's Gates?

[rljjr]

Where's Gates?

Struggling at the plate. Looks like he gets a chance to think about it.

[ricepig]

Struggling at the plate. Looks like he gets a chance to think about it.

Well, he's hitting .229 higher than Kenley.

[Razorbacks#1]

Go RAZORBACKS! :razorback:

[rljjr]

Well, he's hitting .229 higher than Kenley.

If you have a better guess then by all means share. I was just offering my assumption.

[razCzar]

 :razorback: :razorback:  GO HOGS!  :razorback: :razorback:

[PeabodyHawg]

Peabody checking in from the beach. :razorback: :razorback: :razorback:

I'll hang in here until the wife pulls the plug.

[ricepig]

If you have a better guess then by all means share. I was just offering my assumption.

Oh, I have know idea, I suspect that's  correct, but I guess we'll know later on.

[Razorbacks#1]

A&M Line Up:

CF - Choruby, Nick
RF - Foster, Logan
2B - Shewmake, Braden
DH - Coleman, Hunter
LF - Kopetsky, Blake
C - Bedford, Cole
1B - Gutierrez, Jorge
SS - Homan, Austin
3B - Janca, George

P - Hill, Brigham

[Maddhog]

T1

Arledge 0-1, 0-2, 1-2, Ks swinging.  One down.

[Razorbacks#1]

:razorback:


                                                                    
                                                                                                                           
                             0               Top 1st                   0

                   
                  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | -  |  R |  H  | E  |LOB
ARK          |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    | -  |  0  |  0  | 0  | 0   
A&M         |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    | -  |  0  |  0  | 0  | 0   

[ucahogfan]

Is anyone else having trouble with the game in Watch ESPN?  It isn't showing up on the app for me.

[Maddhog]

C-Span

1-0, 1-1, 1-2, 2-2, Full, foul,  foul, Walk.  One on, one out.

[Razorbacks#1]

Is anyone else having trouble with the game in Watch ESPN?  It isn't showing up on the app for me.

No problems here, but well behind Maddhog

[PeabodyHawg]

Is anyone else having trouble with the game in Watch ESPN?  It isn't showing up on the app for me.

Feed is terrible for me through ATTUverse.  Don't normally see as much buffering as I'm seeing tonight.

[PeabodyHawg]

Norm Debruin???

[Pudgepork]

That's it run that pitch count up

[Maddhog]

Bonfield - 0-1, 0-2, foul, 1-2, 2-2, foul, foul, foul, Ks looking.  One on, two out

[Maddhog]

Koch - 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, Full, lines out to SS to end the top half. No score

[Razorbacks#1]

:razorback:


                                                                    
                                                                                                                           
                             0               Bot 1st                   0

                   
                  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | -  |  R |  H  | E  |LOB
ARK      0 |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    | -  |  0  |  0  | 0  | 1   
A&M        |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |    | -  |  0  |  0  | 0  | 0   

[HogFoo]

Is anyone else having trouble with the game in Watch ESPN?  It isn't showing up on the app for me.

it wasnt showing up on my list either on the desktop but it was on the phone app.  then i realized that i didnt click the 'show all live' on the desktop and voila. there it was. all fine.  just in time to see our 3rd out unfortunately.

[Pudgepork]

Let's go Stephan

[Maddhog]

B1

Choruby - 1-0, singles.  One on, no outs