Razorbacks 3, Jaguars 5: Rough Day at the Park

Ice storm 2014 hadn't hit Northwest Arkansas yet, but you would have thought the Hogs were hitting with an inch of sleet covering their bats.

Once again, credit must be given to the South Alabama starting pitcher. Kevin Hill, who was coming off a five game suspension to start the season, threw eight innings, allowed seven hits, three earned runs, four walks and five strikeouts. For the doubleheader, the Jaguars starting pitchers combined 16 1/3 innings, allowing only four runs (all earned), and the most important stat, two wins.

Hogs were able to slap around six singles, but only one extra base hit. This was the second game in a row the Hogs only had one extra base hit.

Trey Killian took the ball for the first time following his six game suspension. He breezed through the first two innings only allowing one hit.

Things fell apart for Killian in the 3rd. Matt Wojciechowski started the damage with a RBI single to center. With runners on first and third, the next batter, Erik Hindmon, clobbered a two RBI double to the right-center field wall. He advanced to third on a wild pitch by Killian and would eventually score on a single by Cole Gleason. Killian's final line for the day was 2 2/3 IP, 5 hits, 4 earned runs, and two strikeouts. I'd say the Sunday job is still wide open.

The Razorback bats warmed up for the first time in the day during the 5th. Bobby Wernes lead off the inning with a walk and Serrano singled two batters later. After Brian Anderson went down swinging, Tyler Spoon drilled a two RBI triple to 400 feet sign in right-center scoring Wernes and Serrano. They didn't have the lead, but for the first time in the day the Hog bats showed signs of life.

In the top of the 6th the Jags added another run that scored on a error by shortstop Brett McAfee. Nothing interesting happened until the bottom of the 9th.

Hill entered the inning with a pitch count well over 100 and it showed. He plunked Wilkerson to lead off the inning and then walked the next hitter McAfee. Michael Gunn pinch hit for Blake Baxendale and flew out to center for the first out. Michael Bernal, who went 2-3 in the first game, pinch hit for Wernes. Bernal took one off the leg and the bases were juiced.Andrew Benintendi hit a sac fly to center scoring Wilkerson, but left the Razorbacks with only one out to go. Joe Serrano kept the inning alive with an infield single. Anderson stepped up to the plate, bases loaded, two outs, team down two runs. He gave it a good ride to right-center, but the right fielder camped under it and that was it for the Hogs as they dropped their first series of the season.

Colin Poche, Jackson Lowery and Landon Simpson all looked sharp out of the pen. The only run they allowed in 6 1/3 innings of work was on the McAfee error.

Krisjohn Wilkerson was the consistent bright spot on offense. He reached base on six on seven plate appearances between the two games. He hit three singles and drew three walks.

Weather permitting the Hogs are back in action on Monday against IPFW. An ice covered first pitch is scheduled for 3:05pm.