ATHENS, Ga. - Arkansas entered Sunday’s scheduled series finale against Georgia looking for a three-game road sweep, after squeaking out victories on Friday and Saturday,
The Razorbacks never got a chance to make it three in a row on the road.
Rain set in 20 minutes before the 1:05 p.m., Central starting time. The tarp came out to cover the playing surface and the teams headed to their respective locker rooms to wait it out. But with the weather showing no signs of clearing up, the game was officially called at 2:18 p.m. Central.
Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said he was disappointed his team was denied the opportunity to pull off a three-game sweep, sensing the Hogs were ready to come out swinging.
“We felt like today was the day we were going to bust it open a little bit with our bats,” he said. “We had two really good defensive games and two really well-pitched games, and it seems like our pattern was to have a big game every weekend offensively. I think we were geared up for it, but you never know.”
A nonconference match up with Missouri State is next on the schedule for Arkansas on Tuesday evening at Baum Stadium. Van Horn was asked whether he would consider playing a doubleheader against the Bears to make up for Sunday’s cancellation.
Van Horn did not dismiss the possibility, but said it was unlikely since both teams are in the thick of winning their respective conferences,
“I’d have to talk to them about it. Right now our focus is on one game,” he said. “It could change, but as of right now, I’d say we’ll play one nine-inning game as scheduled.”
The Razorbacks (29-15, 13-7) have won five of their seven series in SEC play as they try to chase down LSU in Western Division standings. The Tigers are 16-5 in the SEC after falling to South Carolina 4-0 Sunday, and lead the Hogs by 2 ½ games.
This late in the season, there’s only way way to continue putting pressure on the Tigers.
“We just need to keep winning and get a little help,” Van Horn said. “We can be in this thing at the end.”
SUNDAY’S GAMES
Tennessee 4, Florida 2 Arkansas at Georgia, ccd.
Texas A&M at Alabama, ccd.
Missouri 4, Auburn 1 Vanderbilt 8, Mississippi State 3 South Carolina 4, LSU 0
Sports, Pages 13 on 04/29/2013