Razorbacks 12, South Alabama 1: The Joe Serrano Game

It was a weird game altogether. South Alabama batted out of order late in the game, their shortstop ducked a screamer hit by Brian Anderson, and an Arkansas hitter got plunked by a pitch for the seventh straight game. All kinds of weird.

The real story of the game was Joe Serrano's hot day at the plate. The junior tore the cover off the ball all game long and reached base in all five at-bats. He went 4-4 at the plate with three doubles, a single, four runs batted in and a walk.

He was without question the player of the game. Serrano entered the game hitting a solid .304 and an OBP of .357, but those numbers will no doubt skyrocket after this stellar performance.

Another bright spot for Arkansas was the production from guys in the lineup not named Spoon or Anderson. KJ Wilkerson had a 2-run single in Arkansas' four-run first inning and Brett McAfee nailed a double over the right fielder's head for a 2-run double as well.

Anderson had an RBI single in the fifth inning and Spoon added a sacrifice fly in the fifth, but the two combined to hit just 2-7 for the game. So it was nice to see other guys get involved in the action.

The Razorbacks scored four runs in the first, five in the third and three in the fifth inning, putting the final score at 12-1. And thanks to the lopsided score for a majority of the game, guys that usually don't get time in the field or on the mound actually got time.

Andrew Benintendi, who was on base three of four at-bats, was lifted in the fifth inning after hitting a liner back at the pitcher. Van Horn may have feared retaliation or could have just been playing it safe with a big lead. Nonetheless, the freshman continues to get on base in every way imaginable.

And Jalen Beeks was great for the third straight Friday afternoon. He went six strong innings, giving up just three hits and one run, which ballooned his ERA all the way to 0.54 for the season. He picked up his third win of the season.

Beeks has been phenomenal in his three starts. Dave van Horn complimented Beeks' stuff earlier in the week, saying he's done a great job of mixing his three pitches and adapting to a starting role. Beeks could be the ace of this Arkansas staff.

Due to inclement weather on the horizon for Sunday, South Alabama and Arkansas will play a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 12:05 p.m. Chris Oliver is will get the start in game one of the doubleheader and Trey Killian will get the ball for the first time this season in game two on.