LITTLE ROCK — BASEBALL Astin, Suggs on Stopper of the Year list
Arkansas junior right-handers Barrett Astin and Colby Suggs are among 75 players on the watch list for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award, which goes to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball.
The list of candidates will be updated during the season, and the winner will be announced June 15, the opening day of the College World Series, in Omaha, Neb.
Suggs, from Sulphur Springs, Texas, appeared in 30 games last season, all in relief, with a 7-1 record with a 1.38 ERA. He set an Arkansas single season record for fewest runs allowed (minimum 30 innings pitched) with six. He struck out 36 batters in 39 innings, holding opposing hitters to a .203 batting average.
Astin, from Forrest City, came out of the bullpen in 29 of his team-high 32 games last season. He went 3-5 with a team-high 11 saves and a 1.99 ERA.
FOOTBALL Razorbacks coach ready to talk football
Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema will discuss his first Razorbacks signing class and preview spring practice Feb. 20 as part of On The Air with Bret Bielema, which be carried throughout the state on the Razorback Sports Network.
The radio show will be broadcast at 7 p.m. from the Catfish Hole in Fayetteville. Live streaming also will be available on RazorVision.
Arkansas opens spring practice March 10.
UAPB to play at McNeese State
Arkansas-Pine Bluff will play play its second game of the 2013 season at McNeese State.
UAPB, which won the first outright Southwestern Athletic Conference title last season, will play McNeese State on Sept. 7 at Cowboy Stadium in Lake Charles, La., McNeese State announced on its website.
The game will be the first meeting between UAPB and the Southland Conference school that finished 7-4 last season.
UAPB opens the season Aug. 31 against Arkansas State in Jonesboro.
SOFTBALL UAM loses two
Arkansas-Monticello lost 6-5 to Angelo State and 2-1 to Central Missouri on Friday during the first day of the Southeastern Regional Invitational in Durant, Okla.
The Cotton Blossoms gave up four runs in the top of the first in the first game, and later tied the game at 4-4 until Angelo State scored two runs to take a 6-4 lead in the fourth. Senior Randa Perry gave up 6 runs on 10 hits and struck out 3 to take the loss.
UAM gave up a two-run double to Central Missouri’s Jill Lucas in the first inning of the second game.
BASEBALL UAFS splits with No. 1 St. Mary’s
Arkansas-Fort Smith lost the first game of Friday’s doubleheader 5-0 to St. Mary’s (5-1) but beat the NCAA Division II No. 1 Rattlers 2-1 in the second game in San Antonio.
Arkansas-Fort Smith senior Ben Smith singled to right field with the second game tied 1-1 in the ninth inning, advanced to second on a walk and to third on an error. He scored the eventual winning run on a sacrifice fly.
It was the first victory for the Lions (2-3) over a No. 1 team since moving to Division II in 2009.
UAM tops NW Missouri State
Arkansas-Monticello scored eight runs in the first inning and added two in the second to cruise to a 19-7 victory over Northwest Missouri State in its home opener Friday in Monticello.
The Boll Weevils (2-3) had 18 hits total and seven players had at least two hits each. Taylor Eaves, Tyler Caruthers and Chad Miller each had three hits, while Ben Agredano and Miller each had three RBI.
SAU drops first game
Angelo State scored two runs in the first and third innings in handing Southern Arkansas (4-1) its first loss Friday in San Angelo, Texas.
The Muleriders were held to five hits and didn’t score until Phillip Menou doubled and scored on a fielder’s choice in the eighth inning. James Baune took the loss for ASU, giving up 4 runs on 6 hits and striking out 8 in eight innings.
Wonder Boys sweep at home
Thomas Biocic hit a home run and Cesar Abreu had three hits to help Arkansas Tech beat Ottawa (Kan,) University 8-3 in the first game of a doubleheader Friday in Russellville. Arkansas Tech then won the second game 5-4.
Dustin Thomas earned the victory in the first game, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits in five innings, and he struck out 6.
Ozarks win opener
Tyler Erickson and Ian Bryan combined to pitch a four-hit shutout to help Ozarks beat Huntingdon (Ala.) College on Friday in its season opener at the Millsaps College Invitation in Jackson, Miss.
Erickson earned the victory after giving up three hits and striking out five in five innings. Nick Brill was 3 for 4 with 3 RBI and Sam Shook was 3 for 4 and scored two runs for Ozarks (1-0).
Sports, Pages 25 on 02/09/2013