A road trip to Fayetteville in the month of May is not what any college baseball team typically puts on its wish list in the preseason.
But it is what faces No. 17 Ole Miss (31-15, 11-10 SEC) when it enters Baum-Walker Stadium on Friday evening to square off against the rollercoaster Razorbacks (30-16, 11-10 SEC). The No. 22 ranked Arkansas team led by head coach Dave Van Horn has had moments it looked every bit of a top 10 program, but it has also had plenty of weeks when it seemed average and not mashed potato worthy.
Both teams’ seasons mirror with both having been swept at home – Ole Miss by Mississippi State and Arkansas by Florida. Both have head scratching midweek losses like Memphis and Missouri State, and there’s of course a series loss to Stetson by the Hogs that had to signal this season may not be as special as fans hoped.
PROJECTED PITCHING MATCHUPS
Friday, 6 p.m. CT
- Ole Miss: LHP Hunter Elliott (4-1, 4.82 ERA)
- Arkansas: LHP Hunter Dietz (5-2, 3.62 ERA)
Saturday, 2 p.m. CT
- Ole Miss: RHP Cade Townsend (4-1, 2.33 ERA)
- Arkansas: LHP Cole Gibler (4-1, 2.91 ERA)
Sunday, 2 p.m. CT
- Ole Miss: RHP Taylor Rabe (3-3, 4.24 ERA)
- Arkansas: TBA
This series is going to be won or lost on Friday and Saturday when you look at it on paper. Both teams are throwing their best starters who have pitched in huge games, and with Sunday being a TBA by the Hogs, that game is likely going to be absolute chaos per the rules of this rivalry.
The battle of the Hunters on Friday will kickoff the series tonight with first pitch at 6 p.m. CT from Baum Walker Stadium. Both Dietz and Elliott have the ability to go deep into the game, so if either is chased early, the series could swing quickly based on bullpen use.
The Hogs are going lefty-lefty on the mound for Friday and Saturday with the Rebels mired in a three game losing streak where offense has been sputtering at best. Mike Bianco has been tinkering with the lineup of late subbing in Topher Jones, Luke Romine, Daniel Pacella and Cannon Goldin with no one really taking the opportunity to consistently produce as of yet.
It goes without saying the Rebels need to win this series to move a couple steps closer to a regional hosting bid. Losing a home series to Georgia last weekend was less than ideal, but it did not hurt the RPI overall like a series loss at Arkansas likely would.
The three game series will be streamed live on SEC Network+, so ice down some American domestic lagers now for a classic night of SEC baseball. Cheers!