FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas finished with a flurry Sunday to complete its second three-game sweep.
The Razorbacks scored nine runs in two innings to defeat Utah 10-1 before 4,111 fans at Baum Stadium. Arkansas (6-0) has swept three-game series from Delaware State and Utah, which lost two one run games to the Razorbacks before Sunday’s blowout.
Arkansas’ first full week of baseball is on tap, beginning with McNeese State on Tuesday and Wednesday at Baum Stadium. The Razorbacks host Wisconsin-Milwaukee for three games beginning Friday to conclude an 11-game homestand.
“It’ll be a full week and that’s what we’re all here todo, to play baseball,” freshman Dominic Ficociello said. “We’re happy to get the season rolling.”
Ficociello, who came into the game hitting .091, went 3 for 4 with 4 RBI to lead the Razorbacks. Freshman pitcher Brandon Moore (2-0) celebrated his 19th birthday by holding Utah to 1 run and 4 hits in 6 innings.
Moore, a right-hander from Van Buren, has started twice for Arkansas, allowing 6 hits and 1 run in 12 innings. Moore struck out four Sunday and picked off a batter after allowing a two-out single.
“I’m just real proud of our team, especially our pitching staff,” Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said. “Today was Brandon Moore’s birthday and that was a good present for him. I told the position players don’t let him down on his birthday, because this was his last year to be a teenager.”
Arkansas did not make an error and the Razorbacks made the most of their nine hits. Utah (0-5) had four less hits than Arkansas but the Utes made two errors, including a poor throw to second by shortstop James Brooks that kept an inning going.
Arkansas scored three runs in the fifth, adding two runs after the misplay, then scored six runs in the sixth to lead 10-1.
“Arkansas played great but we didn’t pitch very well and we didn’t play defense,” Utah Coach Bill Kinneberg said. “I was disappointed, but we played a good club in a wonderful ballpark. It’s a great atmosphere for college baseball, one of the best I’ve been in.”
Utah held a lead over Arkansas for the third consecutive game when Josh Alexander walked and Trey Nielsen hit a two-out double off Moore in the second inning. The game remained close until the sixth, when Arkansas scored six runs on five hits.
Ficociello led the way with two doubles and a single after going 1 for 11 to start the season. He said extra work with Arkansas hitting coach Todd Butler helped him overcome some mistakes he was making at the plate.
“It was good to break out and show what I could do,” said Ficociello, a switch-hitter who had hits from both sides of the plate. “My main problem is that I was too aggressive and swinging at pitches outside of the zone. I got some pitches that were very hittable and I took advantage if it.”
Arkansas completed the sweep without using sophomore DJ Baxendale, who had a win and a save in the first two games against Utah. Lefthander Cade Lynch followed Moore to the mound and held the Utes to one hit in two scoreless innings.
Right-hander Nolan Sanburn retired three consecutive batters in the ninth inning and ended the game with a strikeout.
“Brandon did a great job his second time out and Lynchgave us two solid innings,” Van Horn said. “I thought Sanburn came in and showed what he’s got, too. He was throwing the ball in the 90s and with a late breaking curveball. These are guys we’ve got to have. We’re not afraid to pitch them, but we’ve got to bring them along slowly.”
SHORT HOPS Collin Kuhn was hit by a pitch for the second time this season while attempting to bunt in the sixth. Kuhn set an Arkansas record last season for being hit 25 times by a pitch... Arkansas is 6-0 for the first time since 2006, when the Razorbacks started 9-0... Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said left-hander Geoffrey Davenport will start on Tuesday when the Razorbacks play McNeese State. Davenport pitched 3 1/2 innings against Utah on Saturday but left after allowing three runs and three hits. Arkansas came back to win the game 5-4 after scoring three runs in the seventh inning.
THE WEEK AHEAD
TODAY off TUESDAY vs. McNeese St., 3:05 p.m.
WEDNESDAY vs. McNeese St., 3:05 p.m.
THURSDAY off FRIDAY vs. Wis.-Milwaukee, 3:05 p.m.
SATURDAY vs. Wis.-Milwaukee, 2:05 p.m.
SUNDAY vs. Wis.-Milwaukee, 1:05 p.m.
Sports, Pages 13 on 02/28/2011