Diamond Hogs ascend to consensus No. 1 in polls

BY DUDELY E. DAWSON

FAYETTEVILLE – The new consensus top-ranked college baseball team plays its home games at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville.

Riding a nine-game winning streak, Arkansas (13-2) ascended to No. 1 Monday in each of the D1 Baseball, Baseball America, Perfect Game, USA Today/Coaches, Perfect Game and College Baseball Central polls.

The rise to the top spot comes after the Razorbacks swept a three-game series from McNeese State this weekend by a combined score of 36-11.

Arkansas outfielder Ross Lovich notes the success comes in part from believing in each other. 

“I think it’s just confidence and self-belief,” Lovich said. “We’re a super talented team and the more that we believe in ourselves and in each other, I think good things are going to happen.”

Arkansas replaces Wake Forest, the previous top-ranked squad, after the Demon Deacons split a four-game home series with Duke Thursday through Sunday.

Arkansas’ offense had struggled coming into the weekend, but exploded in its last two games – a 15-5 win in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader and an 18-5 pummeling of McNeese State on Sunday.

The Razorbacks will host 2023 College World Series team ORU (7-9) Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. before beginning SEC action on Friday against Missouri (8-8).

“We’ve just got to get some guys rolling a little bit,” Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. “I felt like this weekend, the last 24 hours really, it was a really good start. 

“On Tuesday we’re going to play Oral Roberts and that’s a team that competed in the College World Series last year. So they know how to win and fight you a little bit. Hopefully we can keep it up on Tuesday and get ready for SEC play this weekend.”

Arkansas scored 23 two-out runs in the series sweep of McNeese State.

“Going off that, we know we’re a good ball club,” Razorback outfielder Ty Wilmsmeyer said. “It’s just grinding, even with two strikes, two outs and then until the final bell dings we’re going to keep fighting for those next to us.”

The uptick in offense this weekend coincided with the return of injured Razorback junior second baseman Peyton Stovall, who saw his first action last weekend after breaking his foot in the preseason.

“I would say it’s a big boost for our team mentally, and physically on the field,” Van Horn said. “It’s a veteran guy that can swing the bat. That can play defense. It makes our lineup longer and better.”

Stovall was 3 of 8 on Saturday with a homer and three RBIs and 2 of 5 with two more RBIs on Sunday.

He served as the designated hitter on Sarturday and Sunday with plans on him returning to second base this week.

“You can see the ball jumping off his bat better than ever,” Van Horn said. “Swing’s really pretty. Got a pretty swing, and the defensive thing for me is that he brings a lot more experience in the middle turning double plays. Everything. Knowing where to be.”

Photo by John D. James