SEMO 12, Arkansas 11: Not Again

Well, the weather was just about as miserable at the game, as the Razorbacks have now lost three of their last four midweek games.

It can't be stressed enough how much this pitching staff has struggled to throw strikes.  Granted, these are midweek guys that probably won't see SEC play. However, this is where younger guys get some experience and fans see a glimpse of what is to come. Until they learn to throw strikes, it doesn't look like it will get any better.

SEMO's pitching wasn't much better. They allowed 10 walks and 12 hits, but only allowing 11 runs was good enough to get the win. For the Hogs, anytime a team puts up 11 runs, that is a bright spot. Obviously, they got some help from walks and the three errors from the SEMO defense. But, there were some highlights to go over.

The offense was spread throughout the lineup for the Hogs. Seven betters had at least one RBI. Tyler Spoon and Michael Bernal both had two RBIs each.

It looked like Arkansas was going to be able to cruise to a victory after jumping out to a 5-1 lead going into the top of the fourth. Then, the wheels feel off for starting pitcher Jackson Lowery. A combination of three singles, two walks, and hit-by-pitch helped SEMO put up a four spot, tying the game back up at 5,

Bernal lead off the bottom of the 4th with a solo shot, giving the Hogs the lead back at 6-5. The Hogs added two more in the bottom of the fifth for a 8-5 lead.

SEMO went on to out score the Hogs, 7-3 over the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings. The Hogs had a chance to make some noise in the 8th, but Bernal struck out with the bases loaded.

One bright spot out of this series was Alex Gosser behind the plate. He made an outstanding throw to pick off a runner at 3rd, late in the game Tuesday night. That was a play that Dave Van Horn said, "won the game for us."

He had another solid game behind the plate Wednesday and went 2 for 4 highlighted by an RBI double. Tucker Pennell came in during the 7th to finish catching, but had a costly throwing error that one run to score on the play. It also extended the inning for another run to score.

It doesn't get any easier for the Hogs as #1 LSU Tigers come to Fayetteville for a Thursday-Friday-Saturday series. The SEC Network will carry the first two games of the series and the series finale will be on SEC Network Plus as usual. Hopefully, the attendance for tomorrow's game will be a little better than the 477 that showed up today.